RAIA: United Club of Verna defeated host Raia Sporting Club 4-1 in the final to emerge champions of 51st Custodio memorial inter-village football tournament played at Raia Panchayat ground.
The match, with a huge festive crowd, was dominated by UC Verna.
At the breather, UC Verna were leading by a goal.
Raia SC would have taken the lead in the 6th minute of the match but Silvano Oliveira’s power-packed shot was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Savio Pereira of UC Verna. In the 15th minute UC Verna missed a scoring chance as Josloy Moniz’s header of a Clifton Oliviera’s cross just sailed over the crossbar.
Desmond Pereira gave the lead to UC Verna in the 28th minute.
In the second session, Jesloy increased the lead in the 48th minute. Two minutes later, Lloyd Cardoza reduced the margin for host Raia SC. Substitute Nevil Menezes made the issue more safer for UC Verna, scoring two quick goals, taking the tally to 4-1.
Fatorda MLA Vijay Sardesai was the chief guest and handed over the prizes in the presence of Our Lady of Snows Church Parish Priest Fr Januario Da Costa
Zilla Panchayat member Domnic Gauncar, Raia Sarpanch Peter Quadros, Shalom Sardinha and Roque Mascarenhas.
