MARGAO: SCC Loutolim edged out United Boys of Ambaulim 6-4 via a tiebreaker to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the 30th Mandopa Cup, organized by Mandopa Sports Club, and played at their ground on Tuesday.
The match began at a fast pace, with both teams showing urgency to find the back of the net. However, it wasn’t until the 32nd minute that Lotoulim broke the deadlock. Austin Fernandes scored the opening goal, converting a precise diagonal cross from Aryan Fernandes into the net with a well-placed shot. Ambaulim had a chance to equalize before halftime, but Venito Dias' effort sailed over the crossbar, leaving Lotoulim with a 1-0 lead at the break.
In the second half, United Boys of Ambaulim increased their attacking pressure. In the 40th minute, Selton Fernandes made a solo run but was denied by Loutolim goalkeeper Anch Naik. Then, in the 45th minute, a counter-attack led by Visiton Fernandes and Selton Fernandes resulted in a pass to Venito Dias, who beat both the defense and the goalkeeper to score, leveling the game and sending it to a penalty shootout.
During the shootout, SCC Loutolim converted all five of their penalties through Shelford Fernandes, Austin Fernandes, Aniston D'silva, Aslerio Colaco, and Flager Moraes. For Ambaulim, Visiton Fernandes, Venito Dias, and Churchill Carvalho found the back of the net, but it wasn’t enough to clinch the win.
SCC Loutolim’s goalkeeper, Anch Naik, was exceptional throughout the match, saving three one-on-one situations, and was named Man of the Match. The award was presented by Sandip Tuenkar, a reporter for Goa 365.
