Team Goemkarponn
RAIA: Veteran striker Succor Fernandes emerged as the match-winner for St. Anthony Assolda, scoring a dramatic injury-time goal to edge past Peddem Bomm Sporting Club 2-1 and book a spot in the quarterfinals of the 52nd Custodio Memorial Football Tournament. The prestigious tournament is being organised by Raia Sporting Club and is underway at the Raia Panchayat Ground.
The thrilling pre-quarterfinal clash turned into a north vs. south faceoff, with Peddem Bomm SC from North Goa taking on South Goa’s St. Anthony Assolda in front of an enthusiastic crowd of over 1,000 spectators.
The first half remained goalless, but action intensified after the break. In the 47th minute, Assolda’s Moises D’sa broke the deadlock with a composed finish, slotting the ball past the Peddem Bomm goalkeeper following a defensive lapse.
However, the celebrations were short-lived. Just two minutes later, Peddem Bomm equalized when Santosh Bhulan’s strike took a wicked deflection off an Assolda defender and wrong-footed the keeper to make it 1-1.
With the game seemingly headed for a penalty shootout, Assolda coach introduced veteran striker Succor Fernandes into the match. The move paid off in the dying minutes of stoppage time (70+2) when Moises D’sa floated in a precise cross from the right, and Succor rose above the defenders to head the ball powerfully into the far corner, sealing a dramatic 2-1 win for Assolda.
Moises D’sa, who contributed a goal and an assist, was deservedly awarded the Man of the Match. The award was presented by Trifonio Cardozo, Panch of Village Panchayat Raia.
With this thrilling victory, St. Anthony Assolda marches into the quarterfinals, keeping their hopes alive in the long-standing Custodio Memorial Tournament.
