Team Herald
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SANTA CRUZ: The Servo Cup –3rd All-Goa inter-collegiate football tournament organised by the Herald Group in association with the Directorate of Sports and Youth Affairs (DSYA), Directorate of Health Services (DHS) and Goa University, and supported by Walbrue and Magsons, enters its most decisive phase on Sunday as the quarter-final stage unfolds with four do-or-die encounters at the government football ground, Santa Cruz.
With two quarter-final matches scheduled in the morning and two in the evening, the tournament promises a full day of intense knockout football, where only the best will progress to the semi-finals.
Early battles
for supremacy
The morning session will open with CES College of Arts and Commerce, Cuncolim, taking on the Government College of Arts, Science and Commerce, Sanquelim, in a clash that brings together championship pedigree and attacking momentum.
CES Cuncolim, winners of the All-Goa inter-collegiate football tournament conducted by Goa University, enter the quarter-finals as one of the tournament favourites. Led by striker and captain Saish Gaonkar, CES will also rely on Thoid Yattanli in the midfield, defenders Delmon Rebello and Godwin Da Costa and goalkeeper Deva Verma to provide balance and stability across the pitch.
Sanquelim, meanwhile, will look to striker Ramnath Parab to lead the charge, with Dylan Gomes playing a key role in the midfield as they aim to challenge the favourites in this high-stakes contest.
The second quarter-final scheduled at 11 am will see Rosary College of Commerce and Arts, Navelim, face a free-scoring Don Bosco College, Panjim.
Rosary Navelim, runners-up in the inter-collegiate tournament, are widely regarded as title contenders and will depend on goalkeeper Crysler Alfonso, midfielder Ashvek Jadhav, and the attacking duo of Garrison Fernandes and Flann Crasto.
Don Bosco Panjim arrive with strong attacking credentials, spearheaded by Ajay Raj, who made history by scoring the first hat-trick of the Servo Cup. He is supported by Shubert Borges, Krishab Madkaikar, Divesh Gosavi and Aryan Salunke, making this encounter one of the most anticipated of the day.
Grit, firepower and
semi-final dreams
The action continues into the evening session, beginning with the third quarter-final at 2 pm, where GMC College, Bambolim, take on MES Vasant Joshi College of Arts and Commerce, Vasco.
MES College Vasco progressed after a composed 2-1 win over Government College, Khandola, and will look to goalkeeper Akash Singh, defender Nihal Shaikh, midfielder Pradeep Bind and striker Shravan Khanavekar to continue their run.
GMC College Bambolim have shown tremendous resilience in the tournament so far, fighting back from a goal down against Vidya Prabodhini College, Porvorim, to force a tie-breaker and emerge victorious. Rahul Tari will guard the goal, with Nishant Tari, Vishaan Kerkar and winger Rohan Vadyekar expected to play key roles.
The fourth and final quarter-final will feature a high-intensity clash between Fr Agnel College of Arts and Commerce, Pilar, and Sridora Caculo College of Management, Mapusa.
Sridora Caculo College advanced with a dominant 3-0 victory over Srinivassa Sinai Dempo College, Cujira, scoring all three goals in the second half. Forward Laxmanrao Rane will spearhead the attack, supported by Rohan Mangaonkar, Murphy Fernandes and defender Saish Bagkar.
Fr Agnel College, Pilar, arrive in strong form after a commanding 4-0 win over Dhempe College of Arts and Science, Miramar. Tanvesh Narvekar, who scored twice in that match, will once again be a key figure alongside Ruben Azevedo, Lyod Dias and Shreyash Palkar, as Fr Agnel College look to continue their impressive run.
Knockout day to
define the Servo Cup
With four quarter-finals spread across morning and evening, Sunday is set to be a defining day in the Servo Cup calendar. As the competition narrows and the stakes rise, these encounters will determine the semi-final line-up and bring the tournament one step closer to crowning its champions.
