MARGAO
In a high-scoring match of the 52nd Custodio Memorial Football Tournament, hosts Raia Sporting Club defeated Dramapur SC 5-3 to enter the quarterfinals at the Raia Panchayat ground on Sunday.
Garrison Fernandes opened the scoring for Raia in the 3rd minute, while Velrose equalised for Dramapur in the 20th minute. At the breather, both teams were locked at 1-1.
As the match entered the second session, Raia took the lead through Leran Dias, who scored with a beautiful header that crashed into the net in the 38th minute. Dramapur equalised in the 42nd minute through Om Raikar, who found the target with a neat placement. Dramapur then went ahead in the 44th minute when Sario Gomes beat the rival goalkeeper with a well-placed shot.
As the match progressed, Raia mounted pressure on Dramapur and succeeded in equalising in the 47th minute through Johnson Gaukar. In the final quarter, Raia Sporting earned a penalty after the Dramapur goalkeeper brought down their forward in the danger area. Achilles Fernandes converted the spot kick in the 63rd minute.
In injury time, Raia sealed Dramapur’s fate by scoring their fifth goal through substitute Oilex Oliveira in the 70+5th minute.
Allen Fernandes of Raia Sporting Club was awarded the Man of the Match by Peter Quadros, ex-sarpanch and current panch of VP Raia.
