PANAJI
Cortalim Villagers snatched a thrilling 2-1 victory over Goan giants Sporting Clube de Goa in the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy on Friday. The win came against all odds, with Cortalim scoring two goals in stoppage time to overturn Sporting's lead at Duler Stadium.
Sporting Clube de Goa, fresh off a 4-0 win, entered the match as favorites. However, Cortalim Villagers, their opponents from the Goa Professional League, proved to be a resolute adversary.
The first half saw both teams create chances but failing to convert. Rahul Rodrigues' powerful attempt for Sporting missed the target narrowly, while Biswa Darjee's curling shot was parried away by the Cortalim custodian early in the second period.
Sporting finally broke the deadlock in the 61st minute. Lloyd Mascarenhas won an aerial duel and the ball fell perfectly for Alister Anthony, who slotted it home to put the champions ahead.
Sporting nearly doubled their lead minutes later through Lloyd Cardozo, but he was denied by the Cortalim keeper. A golden opportunity also fell to Lloyd just before the final whistle, but he fired straight into the goalkeeper in a one-on-one situation.
Just when a Sporting victory seemed inevitable, Cortalim staged a dramatic comeback in stoppage time. Substitute Prathmesh Gaonkar rose highest to head home an equalizer, sending shockwaves through the Sporting defense.
The drama continued as Saeesh Halarankar pounced on a set-piece by Denil Rebello in the dying seconds to poke the ball in and secure a historic victory for Cortalim Villagers
Sesa FA booked their spot in the semifinals with a resounding 5-1 demolition of Mumbai City FC. The dominant win puts Sesa FA atop their group and keeps their trophy hopes alive.
The match started with a bang as Eashan Sartape rifled one home from the edge of the box to give Mumbai City an early lead. However, Sesa FA struck back just five minutes later, Omkar Shetgoankar pouncing on a defensive lapse to equalize.
Sesa FA wouldn't relent. Chaitan Dabholkar added to the tally with a stunning half-volley from distance and despite a valiant effort from the Mumbai City keeper, Sesa led 2-1 at the break.
The second half was all Sesa FA. Substitute Joshua D'Silva, the Goa Professional League's top scorer, converted a penalty to extend the lead. Shetgoankar found the net again, this time with a curler from the edge of the box to put Sesa FA comfortably ahead. He wasn't done, capping off a brilliant hat trick with another clinical finish in the 61st minute.
Mumbai City fought hard to claw back into the game, but Sesa FA's defense proved unyielding, sealing an emphatic 5-1 victory and a well-deserved spot in the next round.
