MARGAO
Uguem Rising Club edged past United Sports Club of Seraulim 2-0 to book their place in the quarterfinals of the 19th All Goa Guirdolim Panchayat Cup, organised by Guirdolim Club at the Chandor Church Sports Complex.
Seraulim started the stronger of the two sides, with midfielder Dickson Rogtao dictating play and receiving good support from wingers Melroy Pachecho and Prosen Mondal. Their best chance of the first half came in the 25th minute when Mondal’s cross from the right found Melroy unmarked, but he failed to connect with only the goalkeeper to beat. Uguem, meanwhile, struggled to create opportunities before the break.
After the restart, Uguem regrouped and switched to a short-passing approach, while Seraulim relied on long balls. Both teams, however, were wasteful in front of goal. Against the run of play, Rutik Bandodkar produced a moment of brilliance in the 51st minute, dribbling past three Seraulim defenders and placing the ball beyond the diving goalkeeper to put Uguem ahead.
Seraulim threw more men forward in search of an equaliser, and Melroy had a good opening in the 53rd minute but hesitated and saw the chance slip away. A minute later, a defensive lapse proved costly for Seraulim. A long clearance from Uguem was misjudged by the defence, and with the goalkeeper hesitant to advance, Rutik capitalised, rounded the keeper and slotted home to complete his brace and seal the win.
For his match-winning performance, Rutik Bandodkar was awarded the Player of the Match by Guirdolim Club Vice President Roland Moses.
