PANAJI
In an illuminating contest, Curtorim Gymkhana left it late but struck twice in the closing stages to defeat Carmona Sports Club, sealing their place in the semifinals in dramatic fashion in the 24th Fr. Basilio Andrade Memorial Football Tournament, Musson Ground, Majorda.
Curtorim began the encounter on the front foot, setting the tempo early. Frazer Fernandes was the first to threaten, weaving past two defenders before unleashing a fierce effort towards goal — but Canute De Mello stood firm, denying him with a confident stop. Minutes later, Alison Carvalho stepped up to take a free kick from 25 yards out, his brilliant strike forcing Canute into a superb fingertip save to keep the scores level.
The pressure continued as Anslem Fernandes broke through the Carmona defence and found himself one-on-one with the keeper, only for Canute to rush off his line and produce a brave block — a save that typified his inspired performance. Carmona responded in kind when Jonathan Rodrigues slipped through on goal, but a moment’s hesitation allowed the Curtorim keeper to close down the angle and pull off a superb stop.
Ryon Fernandes then tried his luck from distance, but his shot drifted wide, summing up Curtorim’s frustration in the first half.
The second half began much like the first, with Curtorim pushing hard for a breakthrough. A dangerous free kick offered another opportunity, but Elton Mascharenas couldn’t keep his effort beneath the crossbar.
At last, Curtorim’s persistence paid off. Veron Fernandes, who had been growing steadily into the game, finally made the difference — guiding his effort into the top of the net and beating Canute at long last to make it 1–0.
Moments later, Elton found himself inside the 18-yard box and fired low at goal. Canute once again produced a fine save, but fate was unkind as the rebound fell kindly to Veron, who coolly slotted home his second to put the result beyond doubt just before the final whistle.
Despite the defeat, Canute De Mello’s heroics between the posts were impossible to ignore. His series of spectacular saves earned him the Man of the Match award, presented by Mauro Barretto.
