MARGAO
Ugem Rising Club staged a strong comeback to book their place in the finals of the 3rd Late Uday Shirodkar memorial inter-village football tournament, defeating Margao Sports Club 2–1 in the second semifinal at the Subhash Chandra Bose Sports Complex, Karai–Shiroda, on Monday.
Both teams displayed attacking football in the first half but failed to break the deadlock, going into the breather locked at 0–0.
After the change of ends, Margao SC drew first blood through a well-taken penalty by Subert Colaco. However, their lead was short-lived as Ugem Rising Club quickly equalised, also from the spot, after a Margao defender handled the ball inside the box. Pratamesh Gaonkar confidently converted to make it 1–1.
The decisive moment came from Rutik Bandodkar, who beat the defence and the goalkeeper before placing the ball into the far corner, sealing Ugem Rising Club’s passage into the final.
Ugem Rising Club will face United Boys of Ambaulim in the title clash scheduled for December 7.
Rutik Bandodkar was adjudged Man of the Match and received the award from football enthusiast Samrudh Shirodkar.
