Team Herald
RAIA: Sao Jose de Areal got the better of Navelim SC 3-1 to move into the quarter-final of the FC Raia Cup football tournament, organised by FC Raia, at Raia ground, on Monday.
Both teams dominated the first five minutes of the game.
However, it was Navelim SC who had the first chance to score when Covan Lawrence passed the ball to Clinton Niasso in the box, but the latter failed to connect inside Areal box in the secondnd minute.
Thereafter in the 4th minute, Areal’s Raymond Fernandes connected the ball to Alvito Moura but Navelim defender Fr Americo Rodrigues tackled his move.
Areal scored two quick goals early in the game as they opened the account in the 6th minute through David Colaco.
Areal doubled the lead in the next minute through Alviton Silva’s placement shot.
Stunned by two-goals, Navelim team regrouped quickly and constantly raided the opposition side in search of the goal.
Navelim’s Covan Lawrence fed Clinton Niasso inside Areal’s box but the latters shot was saved by Areal keeper Joseph Monteiro in the 21st minute.
After much pressing, Navelim finally managed to pull one goal back.
Clinton Niasso scored for Navelim in the 45th minute.
Hardly had the joys settled down, Sao Jose de Areal scored their third off a counter.
One minute later, Alvito Moura further inflated the tally to 3-1 in favour of Areal.
The goal killed Navelim’s hope of getting back into the game as Areal opted to defend for the reminder of the game.
Sao Jose de Areal will meet the winners of SC Davorlim and Rossman Cruz Verna in the quarter-finals on May 26.
