Both teams approached the semifinal cautiously, fully aware of the stakes. Navelim took the lead in the first half when a Paroda defender inadvertently turned the ball into his own net, giving Navelim a 1-0 advantage at the break.
Paroda came out strongly after the restart and dominated possession in search of an equaliser. Their efforts were rewarded when Godwin Fernandes found the net to make it 1-1. Navelim quickly regained the lead as Joyson curled in a superb free-kick to restore their advantage.
However, the contest took another dramatic turn when Paroda were awarded a penalty after the referee ruled that a Navelim defender had handled the ball inside the box. Rayan Menezes kept his composure from the spot to level the scores at 2-2 and send the match into a penalty shootout.
The shootout proved equally enthralling, with both teams converting confidently before Navelim goalkeeper Selvin Gomes produced the decisive save. His teammates made no mistake with their remaining spot-kicks, sealing a thrilling 7-6 victory and booking Navelim's place in the final.
Selvin Gomes was named Man of the Match, with the award presented by Raul Rodrigues, Executive Member of Sporting Club of Cana-Benaulim.
During the halftime interval, an emotional tribute was paid to the late Dailon Carvalho, who tragically collapsed during the previous day's tournament match and later passed away in hospital. Players, officials and spectators observed a minute's silence in memory of the footballer, whose untimely death has left the Goan football fraternity in mourning and cast a sombre shadow over the tournament.
