MARGAO: Host Raia Sporting Club stormed into the semifinals of the 53rd Custodio Memorial Inter-Village Football Tournament after edging past Don Bosco Oratory, Fatorda 6-4 in a penalty shootout at the Raia Panchayat Ground on Saturday.
The quarterfinal ended 1-1 in regulation time. Don Bosco made a dream start when Richie Vaz struck in the opening minute to hand his side an early lead. Raia fought back strongly in the second half, with Lloyd Cardozo finding the equaliser in the 64th minute to force the contest into a tiebreaker.
In the shootout, Raia converted through Achilles Fernandes, Klins Mendes, Sidney Gauncar, Kifren Dias and Lloyd Cardozo. Don Bosco responded with successful penalties from Rahul Sharma, Franson Furtado and Joel Colaco, but it was not enough as the hosts sealed a 6-4 victory.
Raia goalkeeper Jack Medeira, who produced an outstanding performance between the posts, was named Player of the Match. The award was presented by Raia Deputy Sarpanch Oswaldo D'Souza.
