MARGAO
St Savio Sports Club, Calangute, emerged victorious over Curtorim Gymkhana with an 8-7 win via a tiebreaker, securing their spot in the quarterfinals of the 16th London Trophy Inter Village Football Tournament 2024, organized by Goa Velha Sports Club at the Goa Velha Sports Club ground.
In a rather lacklustre match mostly confined to the midfield, Saish Palyekar from St Savio had an attempt at goal in the 22nd minute, only to be denied by Floyd Hilario, the goalkeeper for Curtorim Gymkhana. However, St Savio took the lead in the 28th minute when Fernandes, a promising striker, capitalized on a defensive lapse from Curtorim Gymkhana to find the back of the net.
At halftime, St Savio held a narrow 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Fazel D'Souza missed a golden opportunity to extend St Savio's lead as he hit the post with the goalkeeper beaten. Curtorim Gymkhana managed to equalize in the 66th minute through Manuel Castanha, who converted a free kick delivered by Joy Hilario.
With the match tied, the winner had to be determined through a tiebreaker. Curtorim Gymkhana scored through Joy Hilario, Rhay Dias, Afileo Fernandes, Milagres Fernandes, Anslem Fernandes, and Josslan Fernandes, while St Savio Sports Club's goalkeeper saved Manuel Castanha's effort. St Savio's goals in the tiebreaker came from Mervin D'Souza, Fasel D'Souza, Romero Fernandes, Fernandes, Deep Govekar, Saish Palyekar, and Chaitanya Haldankar.
Fernandes of St Savio was awarded the Man of the Match title by Joy Gonsalves, a player and member of the Goa Velha Sports Club based in the United Kingdom.
