Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Sinquerim Sports Club emerged victorious with a 4-2 win over Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda, in the inaugural match of 24th Vagator Soccer Cup organised by Vagator Parish Youth Sports Club at Vagator ground, on Sunday.
The match began with an early attempt from Sinquerim SC’s Saimesh Gaonkar in the 5th minute, only to be thwarted by DBO Fatorda’s goalkeeper Glen Fernandes. However, Saimesh made amends in the 13th minute, darting down the left flank and slotted in a low shot past Glen to open his team’s account, 1-0.
DBO Fatorda equalised in the 19th minute when Velito calmly converted a penalty into the bottom left corner after a foul by Aiyan Shaikh.
But Sinquerim SC quickly regained the lead in the 28th minute when Pratik Tirodkar latched onto a lobbed pass from Zaid Khan to make it, 2-1.
Francis Andrade nearly added to the tally with a long-range shot in the 32nd minute, but Sinquerim SC goalkeeper Aniketh Naik produced a brilliant save. On crossing over, in the 48th minute, Pratik doubled his tally with a composed finish to give Sinquerim SC a 3-1 cushion.
DBO Fatorda pulled one back in the 68th minute through Richie Vaz, making it 3-2. They had a golden opportunity to equalise in the 71st minute, but Alfred Noronha missed from a close range. Finally, substitute Krish Naroji sealed the win with a tap-in in the stoppage time, ending the match 4-2 in Sinquerim SC’s favour.