MARGAO
Curtorim Gymkhana got the better of Fr Agnelo YSR Paroda 2-1 to enter the finals of the Cavelossim Panchayat Rolling Trophy inter-village football tournament, sponsored by Cavelossim Panchayat and organised by Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim.
In a thrilling and balanced encounter, Paroda had the upper hand in the first half. In the fifth minute, Dravid Fernandes shot from the left flank into the Curtorim goalmouth but was blocked by Rhay Dias with the ball travelling to Shelton Fernandes, whose first-time shot beat Ignatius under the Curtorim bar, 1-0. However, Curtorim retaliated with a swift move when Hilario gave a through pass to Jovel, whose shot was punched out by the Paroda keeper Borkar, to keep their 1-0 lead intact at the lemon time.
In the second half, Curtorim mounted pressure and restored parity when Jovel Martins crossed the ball from the left flank which was headed in by Afileo Fernandes, 1-1. In the 55th minute, Nickson Castana took a curling corner kick from the left which was cleanly headed in by Rhay Dias to put Curtorim ahead, 2-1.
Paroda fought hard in the last five minutes but failed to score due to good defensive work by Curtorim defenders Rhay and Marcus, coupled with delaying tactics adopted by other Curtorim players. Curtorim now await the winners of other semifinals between St Rock Youth Majorda and Varca SC on May 27.
The Man of the Match prize was awarded to Rhay Dias of Curtorim at the hands of the chief guest of the day Selu Fernandes, Sarpanch VP Varca. Dixon Vaz, Sarpanch, and PI Philomeno Costa were also present.
