MARGAO: Saligao United cruised into the quarterfinals of the 1st Vedanta Trophy with a dominant 4-1 victory over Xetrapal Sports Club at the Sinquerim Sports Club ground. The tournament is being hosted by Sinquerim Sports Club.
The first half saw both teams sizing each other up, playing cautiously and failing to convert chances. The deadlock remained unbroken at halftime, with the scoreline reading 0-0.
Saligao United came out firing after the break and quickly took control of the match. Abu Saliatt opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a composed finish. Just three minutes later, Latesh Mandrekar — a former Dempo Sports Club midfielder — doubled the lead with a fine strike, making it 2-0.
Mandrekar was in unstoppable form and netted his second goal of the match in the 47th minute, extending Saligao's lead to 3-0. Soham Shetikar added a fourth two minutes later, effectively sealing the match for Saligao United.
Xetrapal Sports Club pulled one back in the 60th minute through promising youngster Chandrakant Shirodkar, but it was too little, too late. The final whistle confirmed a convincing 4-1 win for Saligao United.
