TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Raia Veterans prevailed over Chinchinim Veterans 7-5 via the tie-breaker to cruise into the quarter-finals of South Goa inter-village veterans football tournament, organized by Fatorda Veterans, near Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Saturday.
The teams were tied 3-3 at full time.
In a thrilling encounter, the teams displayed attacking brand of soccer and kept the crowd on their toes. Both the teams were served by former sate and international players.
Raia surged ahead in the very 10th minute through Pele Xavier. However, their joy was short-lived and five minutes later Devidas Fernandes equalized.
After levelling the score, the ball swung from one end to other, Caetano Cardozo put Raia Veterans into the lead. Mathew Pereira restored parity at the stroke of lemon break.
Crossing over, the teams showed urgency and went all out. Raia made it 3-2 soon after resumption when striker Pele punted the ball to the far corner of the net.
Undeterred by the lead, Chinchinim raised the tempo with Alvito Pereira firing couple of pot shots. Devidas neutralized the lead at fag end.
In the resultant penalty shoot out, Adriano Dias, Luis Cardozo, Pele and Diego Tavares found the mark for Raia while Alvito Pereira and Mathew Pereira scored for Chinchinim.
