MARGAO, JAN 31
rnNavelim Sporting Club defeated Nerul Sports Club 2-1 to enter the quarter-finals of 3rd Wilred Leisure Cup inter-village football tournament organised by Wilred Leisure Sports Club at Curtorim grounds, on Monday. The teams were tied 1-1 at half time.
rnNerul were the first to strike rhythm and made positive forays into the rival territory and troubled the rival defence with well orchestrated raids. They came close in surging ahead but their forwards either shot wide or shot straight into the safe hands of the rival keeper.
rnNerul shot into the lead in the 25th minute when striker Radhakrishna Dessai’s smart header beat the Navelim keeper hands down off a falter from Julius D’Costa.
rnHowever, their joy was short-lived when veteran Domnic Cabral neutralised the lead with a stiff grounder.
rnThe second half saw both the teams showing urgency in their approach and there was plenty of action at either goal.
rnNavelim took over their reins and raised the tempo with their forwards firing salvo but without success. They were rewarded when striker Joseph Dias struck the match-winner with a blistering shot giving no chance to the rival keeper.
rnStung by the setback, Nerul tried their best but failed to get past the rival defenders.
rnNavelim also had scoring chances but their forwards shot wide from hand shaking distance.
rnJoseph Dias of Navelim and Julius D’Costa of Nerul were awarded the best player award respectively.
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