MARGAO
Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda sailed into the quarterfinals of the 52nd Custodio Memorial Football Tournament with a commanding 4–2 victory over United Club of Verna at the Raia Panchayat Ground. The tournament is being organized by Raia Sporting Club.
The match started at a brisk pace, with both teams probing each other’s defenses early on. In the 6th minute, Godwin Fernandes of Paroda unleashed a powerful strike that was expertly saved by the Verna goalkeeper. On the counterattack, Josle Fernandes of United Club of Verna saw his effort denied by Paroda’s alert custodian.
The deadlock was broken in the 20th minute when Jesvan Fernandes scored a beautifully timed glancing header to give Paroda a 1–0 lead. However, Verna responded swiftly, with Roven Rego equalizing in the 25th minute, slotting home a left-footed finish following a clever buildup.
Paroda regained the initiative five minutes later when Melson Fernandes curled in a crafty free kick in the 30th minute, catching the Verna defense off guard. The pressure mounted, and Likson Rebello extended the lead in the 38th minute, calmly finishing off a neat team move.
Before halftime, Salvin Fernandes sealed Paroda’s dominance with a fourth goal in the 41st minute, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.
United Club of Verna’s two goals came from Sheldon Pereira, but Paroda’s all-round midfield dominance proved decisive.
Cynthia Fernandes, Vice President of the Raia Village Panchayat, presented the Man of the Match award to Ravil Fernandes of Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda.
