PANAJI
In a tense, nail-biting encounter that went the distance, CAC Sports & Cultural Club Cansaulim held their nerve to edge past Raia Sporting Club 5–4 on penalties, booking their spot in the quarterfinals after a hard-fought stalemate in regulation time in the 24 th Fr. Basilio Andrade Memorial Football Tournament, at Musson ground.
The match began with both sides showing early attacking intent. Raia’s Garrison Fernandes looked lively from the outset, shimmying past a defender before unleashing a left-footed drive at the near post, though it failed to truly trouble the Cansaulim goalkeeper.
At the other end, Cansaulim earned a free kick near the corner, and Arron Fernandes drilled in a low delivery that found Prasad Bagli, whose unmarked header narrowly cleared the crossbar — a warning sign for Raia.
Raia responded through Achilles Fernandes, who surged down the left flank and squared the ball to Myron Souza, but his weak effort lacked both power and direction. Moments later, Myron played Garrison through on goal, but the forward’s strike once again failed to trouble the keeper.
Cansaulim soon found their rhythm, forcing Raia onto the back foot. When awarded a free kick 25 yards out, Cidroy De Souza stepped up and curled a superb effort over the wall, only for Floyd Pereira to pull off a stunning diving save to tip it behind for a corner. Off that very corner, Cidroy charged into the box and met the cross with a firm header, but once again Floyd denied him with a reflex stop.
Raia’s talisman Garrison Fernandes continued to threaten, dancing past two defenders before unleashing a thunderous left-footed strike that demanded another top save from Fransisco Monteiro.
The second half saw few clear chances, with both defences standing firm. Sanjiro Pango nearly broke the deadlock when he slipped Myron through on goal, but Cidroy recovered brilliantly to make a last-ditch tackle. Minutes later, Achilles played Garrison in again, but after rounding the keeper, his shot from a tight angle rolled agonisingly wide.
With neither side able to find the breakthrough, the match was decided by penalties. Under immense pressure, Cansaulim held their composure to triumph 5–4 in the shootout, sealing their passage into the next round.
Floyd Pereira of Raia Sporting Club was named Man of the Match, his award presented by Alfredo Fernandes, after an inspired goalkeeping performance that kept his team alive until the very end.
