MARGAO
Betalbatim Sporting Club registered a convincing 2–0 victory over Dicarpali Sports Club to book a quarter-final berth in the 2nd Late Fernando Abranches Memorial Trophy football tournament. The tournament is organised by United Club of Verna and is being played at the Village Panchayat Ground, Verna.
Betalbatim had the first clear scoring opportunity in the 10th minute when Patson Gomes failed to capitalise on a fine pass from Somio Noronha. Soon after, Aniston Fernandes unleashed a powerful shot from the edge of the box, which was smartly punched away for a corner by Dicarpali goalkeeper Francisco Colaco. Both teams went into the lemon break locked at 0–0.
In the second half, Betalbatim stepped up the pressure and kept the Dicarpali defence on their toes. The breakthrough came when Aniston Fernandes beat the Dicarpali goalkeeper to put Betalbatim ahead. Dicarpali had a chance to equalise through Somio Noronha, but he was denied by Betalbatim custodian Milton. Taking advantage of the counter-attack, Betalbatim doubled their lead through Brenson Fernandes to seal the match and Dicarpali’s fate.
Melissa Braganza, daughter of late Verna SC footballer Luciano Braganza, presented the Man of the Match award to Brenson Fernandes of Betalbatim Sporting Club.
