MARGAO: United Club of Utorda beat Curtorim Gymkhana 5-4 via the tie-breaker to enter the quarter-final of all-Goa Curtorim Panchayat Cup inter-village football tournament organized by Maina Sports Club, at DYSA ground, Curtorim, on Friday. Curtorim Gymkhana led 2-1 at half time.
Curtorim Gymkhana the held upper hand in the opening session and troubled the rival defence with well orchestrated raids. Persistent forays paid off dividends in the 10th minute when striker Milagres Fernandes slotted past the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot.
Spurred by the early success, Curtorim Gymkhana intensified their attacks and doubled their lead midway after striker Milagres punished the rival goalkeeper with a clinical finish.
Down by two goals, United Club of Utorda regrouped quickly and took the fight to the rival camp and Parko Pereira reduced the deficit with a neat finish.
Post resumption, United Club of Utorda put up an improved display and swarmed all over the rival territory. They created many openings but their strikers misfired from hand-shaking distance. Neville Pereira neutralized midway in the second half.
After levelling the scores, both the teams went all out but defenders stood tall in protecting their citadel intact.
In the penalty shoot-out, Bouventura Pacheco, Steven Fernandes and Naveen Mendes converted for United Club of Utorda while Milagres Fernandes and Agnel Martins were on target for Curtorim Gymkhana.
