RAIA: Betalbatim SC booked their spot in the quarterfinals of the 52nd Custodio Memorial Football Tournament with a commanding 2-0 victory over Don Bosco Oratory Fatorda in a thrilling encounter at the Raia Panchayat Ground.
Despite intermittent rain showers, over 1,000 enthusiastic fans gathered to witness the high-octane clash. The game lived up to expectations, delivering moments of brilliance, near-misses, and solid team play.
The early moments saw Don Bosco Oratory’s Alfred Noronha squander a golden chance in the 6th minute, while Aniston Fernandes of Betalbatim SC came close soon after, firing just wide.
Betalbatim took the lead in the 31st minute through a stunning diagonal strike by Klusner Pereira, who was a constant threat throughout the match. He returned just minutes later to double the lead in the 40th minute, showcasing excellent control and composure to give Betalbatim a comfortable 2–0 cushion heading into halftime.
In the second half, Betalbatim shifted focus to a defensive strategy, reinforcing their backline with added midfield support to nullify Don Bosco’s attacking attempts.
Don Bosco’s Francis Andrade made several attempts to turn the tide and came close with a power-packed shot that was brilliantly saved by the Betalbatim goalkeeper. Earlier, Nayab Khan of Betalbatim also came close to adding a third with a powerful long-range effort that just missed the target.
The Man of the Match honours went to Klusner Pereira for his match-winning brace. The award was presented by Anthony Pango, Vice President of GFA and former President of Raia Sporting Club.
With this win, Betalbatim SC advance confidently into the quarterfinals, looking to continue their impressive run in the tournament.
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