MARGAO: FC Siolim booked their place in the final of the 53rd Custodio Memorial Trophy with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Parish Youth Nuvem in the second semifinal played at the Panchayat Ground, Raia, on Saturday.
The win sets up a title clash between North Goa's FC Siolim and hosts Raia Sporting Club, promising an exciting battle for the prestigious trophy.
Both teams played attacking football and created several scoring opportunities. Nuvem came close through Drawin Colaco, Myron Pereira and Alvito Dias, while Siolim threatened via Mayuresh Naik, Daneh Pednekar and Madan Pomburpekar, but neither side could find the breakthrough in an evenly contested encounter.
The decisive moment came when Saideep Pomburpekar struck the only goal of the match, giving FC Siolim a slender lead that they defended resolutely until the final whistle.
The championship match will be played on Wednesday, August 5, the feast day, at 4.30 pm.
Lavnay Shirodkar of FC Siolim was named Man of the Match, with the award presented by Dr Errol Rodrigues.
