Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: In a thrilling display of resilience and skill, Mandopa Sports Club overturned a deficit to defeat Santa Cruz Society of Poitomaddo Cuncolim 5-3 in a tiebreaker, securing their spot in the quarterfinals of the Simon Barreto Memorial Inter-Village Football Tournament. The match, organized by Maina Sports Club at the DYSA ground in Curtorim, was a testament to the competitive spirit of both teams. Despite being on the back foot, Mandopa managed to equalize and ultimately triumph through penalties. Arron Fernandes of Santa Cruz Society was recognized as the Man of the Match by Joaquim Fernandes.
The match unfolded with both teams creating scoring opportunities but failing to find the net in the first half. The deadlock was finally broken in the 45th minute when Arron Fernandes of Santa Cruz Society scored, giving his team a temporary lead. However, Mandopa Sports Club refused to give up and quickly equalized through a goal from Ronaldo Pereira just three minutes later. The score remained 1-1 at the final whistle, necessitating a tiebreaker to decide the winner.
In the penalty shootout, Mandopa Sports Club demonstrated their composure and accuracy, with Nash Pereira, Noah Luis, Aden Pereira, and Meliston Dias all converting their penalties. Santa Cruz Society’s Ansh Patel and Viraj Velip also scored, but it was not enough to overcome Mandopa’s precision. This victory marks Mandopa’s advancement to the quarterfinals of the tournament, a significant milestone in their campaign.
The match at the DYSA ground in Curtorim on Thursday was a highlight of the tournament so far, showcasing the determination and skill of both teams. As Mandopa moves forward, they will be eager to build on this momentum, while Santa Cruz Society will look to regroup and prepare for their next challenge.