MARGAO: Fr. Agnel Paroda survived a spirited fightback from a youthful Sai Avatar Anjuna to register a thrilling 3-2 victory and secure a place in the semifinals of the 47th Cana-Benaulim Soccer Tournament, organised by Sporting Club Cana-Benaulim at the St. John the Baptist Panchayat Ground, Dando, Benaulim.
Paroda's Rayan Menezes opened the scoring in the 23rd minute with a composed finish before Godwin Fernandes doubled the lead five minutes later following a well-worked move. Trailing by two goals, Anjuna tightened their defence and prevented any further damage before the halftime break.
Anjuna remained dangerous on the counterattack and reduced the deficit in the 50th minute when Santosh Bhulan found the back of the net, injecting fresh belief into his side.
As Anjuna pressed hard for an equaliser, Fr. Agnel Paroda struck again through Fedrich Fernandes, who finished off a swift attacking move to restore the two-goal cushion and make it 3-1.
The resilient youngsters refused to give up and responded almost immediately, pulling another goal back in the 57th minute to set up a tense finish.
Paroda were forced onto the defensive in the final minutes and during injury time, packing their backline to preserve their slender advantage until the final whistle.
Fedrich Fernandes was adjudged Man of the Match. He received the award from Luis Leitao, Treasurer of the Organising Committee of Sporting Club Cana-Benaulim.
