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RAIA: Sporting Club of Davorlim emerged victorious in a tense tie-breaker, edging out Fr Agnel YC, Paroda, 4-3, to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the Cavelossim Panchayat Cup inter-village tournament, organised by Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim and played at the Fr Druston and Wellington ground, Cavelossim.
Fr Agnel YC had an early chance to take the lead in the 15th minute when Princen Costa unleashed a powerful shot from close range, but Davorlim’s defender Aeren Figueiredo made a crucial block, conceding only a corner.
Paroda came close again when a well-taken free kick by Alfiano Fernandes found Regan Costa on the goal line, but he was dispossessed in the nick of time by Velroy Colaco before he could attempt a shot.
On the other end, Davorlim’s Aeren Figueiredo orchestrated midfield play brilliantly. He provided a lofted pass to Jordan Miranda, whose powerful ground shot narrowly missed the near post. Despite moments of promise, the first half ended goalless.
Davorlim displayed greater aggression in the second half, making effective use of high balls. The breakthrough came when Velliston Colaco, who had an outstanding game, delivered a perfectly placed high pass to Nevil Mascarenhas. Mascarenhas volleyed the ball into the Paroda goal, putting Davorlim ahead 1-0.
Davorlim had a golden opportunity to double their lead soon after, but Ajay Raj squandered the chance, sending his shot over the bar with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Paroda, determined to fight back, earned a corner in the dying moments of the match. Drenzil Vaz delivered an accurate corner kick, which Selvin Fernandes headed into the net, levelling the score at 1-1 and forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
In the resultant tie-breaker, Davorlim’s Aeron Figueiredo, Prince Figueiredo, Ajay Raj, and Darwin Carvalho all converted their penalties. For Paroda, Regan Costa, Selvin Fernandes, and Livan Clemente were on target, but crucial shots from Princen Costa and Alfiano Fernandes were blocked by Davorlim’s goalkeeper Francisco Colaco, securing his team’s place in the last eight.
Velliston Colaco of Sporting Club of Davorlim was presented man-of-the-match award from Arindham Sarkek and Jaskaran Gujral.
