MARGAO
Navelim Sporting Club delivered a composed and clinical performance to defeat Don Bosco Oratory 2-0 and advance to the semi-finals of the ongoing Anil Kamat Memorial Football Tournament.
The match began with high intensity as Navelim's Joyson Coutinho tested the opposition defence with a free kick in the opening minute. Don Bosco Oratory responded swiftly, with Clencio Pinto firing a powerful shot just wide in the 3rd minute.
Don Bosco continued to press, and in the 14th minute, Pinto came close again with a well-struck free kick, but Navelim goalkeeper Mehboob Hussain made a sharp save. Just two minutes later, Reham Sayed missed a golden opportunity to give Navelim the lead.
Don Bosco's Hanslum Furtado also forced another important save from Hussain in the 21st minute, but it was Navelim Sporting Club who broke the deadlock in the 28th minute. Meiston Dias calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to make it 1-0.
The second half saw Don Bosco Oratory step up their attack. Cliff Barretto tested the goalkeeper in the 33rd minute, but Hussain remained unshaken. Joyson Coutinho came close again for Navelim in the 42nd minute with a free kick.
Navelim Sporting Club sealed the result in the 54th minute when Reham Sayed found the back of the net with a composed finish. Don Bosco had a chance to pull one back through Valito Miranda in the 58th minute, but Hussain once again came up big with a key save. Clencio Pinto’s final free kick attempt in the 59th minute was also denied.
Despite the defeat, Don Bosco Oratory's Cliff Barretto was awarded the Man of the Match for his energetic display and attacking efforts.
With this win, Navelim Sporting Club booked their place in the semi-finals of the Anil Kamat Memorial Tournament.