Team Goemkarponn
Salcete: In a heart-stopping finale, Betalbatim Sporting Club edged out SCC Loutolim in a penalty shootout to secure their place in the semifinals of the 7th Martin’s Cup. The match, played at the Panchayat ground in Betalbatim on Friday, was a testament to the teams’ determination and skill.
The game began at a blistering pace, with both teams creating numerous scoring opportunities. Betalbatim Sporting Club drew first blood through Dylan Rodrigues, who scored in the 15th minute. However, SCC Loutolim quickly equalized with a goal from Ignitious Dsilva in the 30th minute, leaving the score tied at 1-1 by halftime.
The second half saw both teams miss several scoring chances, and the match remained deadlocked at 1-1 even after full time. The tiebreaker penalty shootout became the decisive factor. Here, Betalbatim Sporting Club’s precision paid off as Dickson Rogtao, Keith Fernandes, and Gladson Braganza all scored, while SCC Loutolim managed only one goal through Aniston Dsilva.
The standout performance of Million D’Souza, the goalkeeper of Betalbatim Sporting Club, earned him the Man of the Match award, presented by Edwardo Martin’s in the presence of club president Bonny Pereira. D’Souza’s crucial saves during the match and the penalty shootout were instrumental in his team’s victory.
