RAIA: Navelim Sporting Club secured a spot in the finals of the Cana-Benaulim inter-village football tournament with a commanding 3-0 victory over United Club of Verna, organised by the Cana-Benaulim Sporting Association, on Wednesday, at St John de Baptista football ground in Benaulim.
The match witnessed by a crowd of over 800 spectators.
Clifton Rebello of Verna and Ronaldo Pereira of Navelim both stood out with commendable performances for their respective teams. Early in the match, Nevin Pereira of Verna came close to scoring, with a powerful shot that narrowly missed the Navelim goal in the 6th minute. Navelim quickly responded with a counter-attack, but Verna’s goalkeeper saved a shot from Venlu Costa.
Navelim’s Velington Almeida unleashed a powerful strike, but Verna’s goalkeeper, Royal Moniz, managed to push it to safety. Later, Clive Fernandes of Verna attempted a long-range effort, but it failed to find the target.
The game shifted when Navelim Sporting Club altered their strategy, leading to three quick goals. Venito Costa opened the scoring in the 37th minute, followed by a goal from Velington Almeida in the 56th minute. Almeida struck again in the 70th minute, with his shot deflecting off Verna’s Eusebio Fernandes and into their own net.
With this victory, Navelim Sporting Club will face Guardian Angel SC in the final on August 25.
