MARGAO
Guardian Angel Sports Club Curchorem advanced to the next round of the 2nd Mansion House Football Cup 2026 after edging Navelim Sporting 4-1 on penalties in the tournament opener at Cuncolim Panchayat Ground on Saturday.
The match ended goalless after regulation time, with both sides creating chances but failing to find the breakthrough before Guardian Angel held their nerve in the penalty shootout.
Navelim Sporting had the first opportunity in the seventh minute when Aden Pereira set up Samuel D'Souza, whose effort went narrowly over the crossbar. Guardian Angel responded three minutes later, but Adriano Gomes' attempt was dealt with by the Navelim defence.
Guardian Angel gradually took control and came close in the 24th minute when Fhezer Gomes made a dangerous run into the box before being denied by a timely clearance. A minute later, Milroy Clemente rose highest to meet a corner but headed just over.
Adriano Gomes then made a strong run through the Navelim defence in the 26th minute, only to see his shot miss the target as the teams went into the break level.
Navelim resumed strongly and came close again in the 42nd minute when Pereira picked out Travis Souza, whose effort narrowly missed the post. Guardian Angel replied with attempts from Norman Dias and Regan Costa, but both shots failed to trouble the target.
With neither team able to break the deadlock, the match went into a penalty shootout. Guardian Angel converted all four of their attempts through Richard Fernandes, Fhezer Gomes, Norman Dias and Regan Costa, while Sherlock Dias scored Navelim's only successful penalty.
Guardian Angel's composed 4-1 shootout victory sent them through to the next round, while Navelim Sporting bowed out of the competition.
