TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MARGAO: Raia Sporting Club came from behind to beat United Club of Telaulim (UCT) 2-1 in a GFA Second Division League play-off match at SAG ground, Assolna, Friday. Raia trailed 0-1 at half time.
Facing a must win situation to keep their qualifying hopes alive, Raia played with purpose and were the more aggressive of the two sides. However, UCT took the lead against the run of play in the fifth when central defender Jordil Gomes’ well executed free-kick eluded rival Raia goalkeeper Richie Rodrigues.
Raia tried their best to score the equalize and mounted pressure on the UCT defence with striker Jenifer Clemente threatening the rival defence with snap shots. However, the rival defenders stood tall in protecting their slender lead.
UCT had a golden chance to increase their tally but striker Daulat Dessai blasted wide from hand-shaking distance.
Post resumption, UCT nearly doubled the lead soon after resumption but striker Paxton Gomes’ right-footer hit the crossbar off a cross from Daulat Dessai. UCT had a couple of scoring chances but their forwards muffed them. First, striker Daulat’s feeble shot went straight into the safe hands of rival goalkeeper and later, Daulat’s five-yard shot was well collected by Raia goalkeeper Richie.
The remaining period of the game same some aggressive football from Raia. They restored parity in the 71st minute when hardworking Wilfred Gomes unleashed a right-footer and beat rival goalkeeper Sachin Ahtekar hands down.
Spurred by the equalizer, Raia launched heavy attacks on the rival goal and nearly made it 2-1 in the 78th minute but Jelias Gracias failed to beat the rival goalkeeper off a well measured cross from Wilfred and later, Danny Dias’ long ranger flew over the bar.
Meanwhile, UCT nearly found the match-winner but striker Daulat found the side netting from five yards zone.
Jenifier sealed the rival fate when he headed home off a well measured chip from Wilfred in the 88th minute.
With time ticking out, Remete Colaco was the worst culprit as his feeble shot went straight into the safe hands of rival goalkeeper from five yards zone.
With this win, Raia avenged the earlier defeat suffered at the hands of UCT in the South Goa final. They collected four points from two matches while UCT suffered their second successive defeat and are yet to open the account.
Meanwhile, both teams complained about the lack of ball boys as a result of which they lost valuable time. Only one ball boy was seen during the match.
