Team Goemkarponn
Raia: Navelim Sporting Club booked their place in the quarter-finals of the 52nd Custodio Memorial Football Tournament with a well-deserved 2-1 win over Shiroda Youth Club in an action-packed match held at the Panchayat ground in Raia on Sunday.
The thrilling encounter unfolded in front of a vibrant crowd of over 1,000 spectators, with both sides showcasing high-intensity football. Navelim’s Rovan Pereira dazzled with his creativity, while Shiroda’s Elias Colaco impressed with his relentless energy and determination.
Navelim struck early, capitalising on a clever move by Rovan Pereira who set up Noah Luis to net the opening goal in just the 5th minute. Riding on the momentum, Navelim doubled their lead three minutes later when Rehan Sayed finished clinically to make it 2-0.
Shiroda came close to responding in the first half through Elias Colaco, who had a golden opportunity to score but missed narrowly. Despite mounting pressure and an inspired midfield effort by Myron, Shiroda trailed 2-0 at halftime as Navelim’s defense, marshalled effectively, remained unbreached.
After the change of ends, Shiroda upped the tempo in search of a comeback. Their persistence paid off in the 75th minute when Royston Vaz found the back of the net, reducing the deficit to 2-1 and setting up a tense final phase of the match.
In injury time, Navelim missed a golden one-on-one opportunity to seal the game. Moments later, Shiroda nearly equalised through a dramatic last-minute free-kick by Royston Vaz. The well-struck effort beat the wall but hit the post before landing safely in the hands of the alert Navelim goalkeeper.
Referee Milagres Noronha blew the final whistle soon after, confirming Navelim Sporting Club’s passage to the quarter-finals of the prestigious tournament.
Earlier in the day, the 52nd edition of the Custodio Memorial Football Tournament—one of the oldest and most respected tournaments in the region—was officially declared open by Jacinta Dias, Sarpanch of VP Raia. She was joined by chief guest Luis C. Quadros, President of Raia Sporting Club, along with other dignitaries and a large gathering of football enthusiasts.
At the post-match presentation, Rehan Sayed of Navelim Sporting Club was adjudged the Man of the Match for his outstanding performance and crucial goal.
