MARGAO: Raia Sporting Club got the better of SCC Lotoulim 6-2 to secure a spot in the quarter-finals of the 51st Custodio Memorial football tournament, at Raia panchayat ground, on Tuesday.
The high-octane match began with both teams vying for the lead. Raia Sporting Club squandered three early opportunities before finally breaking through in the 31st minute. Laren Dias displayed exceptional placement to put his team on the scoreboard. Lotoulim nearly equalised before halftime, but Doyal of Lotoulim failed to connect. Raia Sporting Club maintained their 1-0 advantage going into the break.
The second half witnessed a complete turnaround as Raia shifted gears and attacked the Lotoulim's defense. Laren Dias orchestrated a goal-scoring spree, netting a hat-trick in the 48th, 53rd, and 64th minutes. Sidney Gauncar and Garrison Fernandes also added their names to the scoresheet in the 55th and 58th minutes respectively.
Lotoulim managed to pull two goals back through Velroy Fernandes and Doyal Alves. Raia's goalkeeper error gifted Lotoulim one goal, while another came from a penalty kick awarded after a Raia defender handled the ball in the penalty area.
Laren Dias was awarded the Man of the Match trophy by Oswald D'Souza, Dy. Sarpanch of Raia.
