RAIA: Navelim Sporting held their nerves to squeeze past a fighting United Boys, Dando, Colva, 6-4 in the tie-breaker to enter into the semi-finals of VM Salgaocar memorial invitational inter-village football tournament organised by Prime SC in association with Margao SC, at St John Baptist ground Dando, Benaulim, on Friday.
In a match of fluctuating fortunes, Clinton Niasso put Navelim Sporting ahead in the first half only for Samson Gomes to get the equaliser for United Boys. However, Navelim Sporting responded with two quick goals through Velington Almeida and Mallapa Bisssargi for a comfortable lead, but Calburn Fernandes and substitute Jovi Fernandes netted for United Boys to take the match in the penalty shoot-out.
In a thrilling encounter, the young Colva lads showed lots of determination to keep Navelim silent and frustrated. The breakthrough materialised for Navelim in the 27th minute when medio Clinton Niasso struck a ferocious free-kick from 25 yards out which went past Colva goalkeeper Valeriano D’Sa.
Within minutes of the restart, medio Samson Gomes got the equaliser with a superb strike but his exuberant celebrations also earned him a yellow card.
Navelim Sporting got their act together and netted twice in the space of 10 minutes. Winger Velington Almeida bundled in a low cross off Meliston Fernandes in the 52nd minute. Navelim Sporting doubled their advantage in the 62nd minute when stopper back Mallapa Bizzargi planted a towering header into the United Boys net from a skipper Nevin Pereira’s flagkick. It looked all over for the dejected Colva team but they fought back with playmaker Calburn Fernandes free-kick finding the net and towards the closing stages of the match substitute Jovi Fernandes latched on to a Sahil Pille cross to restore parity for Colva,
In the ensuing tie-breaker Navelim Sporting scored through Clinton Niasso, Velingtom Silva, and Nevin Pereira, while Terrence Miranda shot wide. Calburn Fernandes was the only scorer for United Boys, while Riston Gomes, Kabir Khan and Beevan Goes failed to score.
Special guest for the match Jose Periera, owner of Martins Corner Betalbatim, and Franky Rogtao, former footballer from Betalbatim were introduced to the teams by Remedious Ferrao.
