RAIA: Navelim Sporting Club edged past Rossman Cruz Nagoa-Verna 5-4 via a tie-breaker in the final to clinch 22nd Fr Basilio Andrade memorial football tournament organised by Associacao Academica de Majorda, at Musson ground, Majorda, on Sunday.
The final was a closely contested affair, characterised by two identical goals from around 30 yards away that left the goalkeepers with no chance. Clinton Niasso was the hero for Navelim SC, finding the net from a long range, while Noel D’Silva returned the favour, scoring for Rossman Cruz.
The game was a thrilling back-and-forth encounter, with both teams competing fiercely for possession and attacking opportunities. Both sides made attempts on goals that were either wayward or failed to trouble the keepers. Midway through the first half, Clinton Niasso’s moment of brilliance had the crowd on its feet. He found himself in the Rossman Cruz half and unleashed a thunderous strike from 30 yards out, leaving Shubert Moniz under the Rossman Cruz goal with no chance.
Rossman Cruz exhibited some excellent passing midway through the first half when Nevil Menezes made a surging run from the left flank to meet an Andrews John’s pass.
Menezes delivered a cross to Royson Rodrigues, whose effort struck the upright. Clinton Niasso continued to be a threat to Rossman Cruz, this time set up by Velinto Almeida, but goalkeeper Schubert Moniz easily dealt with his header. At the other end, Andrews John and Lennon Pereira combined passes, but Andrews’ left-footed effort narrowly missed the target.
In the second half, Rossman Cruz increased their efforts to find the equaliser, and their perseverance paid off when Noel D’Silva, positioned in the Rossman Cruz half, took a few strides before unleashing a powerful right-footed shot that beat Jeet Gupta under the Navelim SC crossbar. Inspired by this success, Noel attempted two more long-range strikes, but both lacked the required direction. As the match progressed, both teams adopted a more measured approach, unwilling to concede territory, and the game ultimately headed into a tie-breaker with 1-1 draw.
In the resultant tie-breaker, Navelim SC proved to be the more accurate shooters with Clinton Niasso, Nevin Pereira, Nash Pereira, Malappa Bizzargi and Darren Peixoto all converting their spot-kicks. Valinton, however, was acrobatically denied by Schubert Moniz. For Rossman Cruz, Nevil and Schubert Moniz faltered from the spot.
Before the match, a plaque was inaugurated by Parish Priest of Mother of God Church, Majorda, Fr Candido Fernandes. This plaque was installed in memory of the late Arsenio Jacques, who had generously gifted the land to Associacao Academica de Majorda for the Musson football ground.
