Betalbatim Sports Club clinched the Benaulim Villagers Cup in dramatic fashion, defeating Navelim Sporting Club 7-6 in a thrilling tiebreaker after a 2-2 stalemate in regulation time. The final, played at the St John the Baptist Panchayat ground, was packed with drama as Navelim’s Ronaldo Pereira opened the scoring with a 17th-minute penalty. Betalbatim equalized in the 30th minute after a Dickson Rogtao free-kick resulted in an own goal by Aden Pereira. The second half saw Ronaldo convert another penalty, but fate struck again when Aden Pereira scored a second own goal, sending the match into penalties. Betalbatim held their nerve to win the shootout and take home ₹50,000. Individual honours included Best Striker (Ronaldo Pereira), Best Player (Klusner Pereira), Best Goalkeeper (Milton Dsouza), and others. Awards were presented by ex-CM Churchill Alemao and other dignitaries, concluding a spectacular tournament.
Goan Reporter: Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda Clinch Cipriano Silva Memorial Football Title
Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda emerged champions of the Cipriano Silva Memorial Inter-Village Football Tournament with a hard-fought 1–0 win over host Ambelim SC in the final held at the Chinchinim Church Ground on Saturday. Dominating the first half, Paroda missed several scoring chances through ZSowell and Savlon Fernandes before Livan Clement netted the winning goal in the 48th minute. The winners and runners-up were awarded ₹1,00,000 and ₹70,000 respectively along with trophies. Rev. Fr Joseph Cardoso, Director of Pedro Arrupe Spirituality Centre (INS Raia), was the chief guest and handed over the prizes in the presence of Saket Gupta (Executive Director, ATI ONGC Goa), Fr Alex D’Souza (Parish Priest, OL of Hope Church), Benjamin Silva (Chairman, Ambelim SC), Anthony Pango (GFA Vice President), and other dignitaries. Individual awards went to Desmond Fernandes (Best Defender – Ambelim SC), Livan Clement (Best Striker – Fr Agnelo SC Paroda), Melson Fernandes (Best Midfielder & Man of the Final – Fr Agnelo SC Paroda), and Ozen Silva (Best Goalkeeper – Ambelim SC).
Goan Reporter: Candolim SC Cruise Past SCC Loutoulim 3–0 to Enter Custodio Quarterfinals
Candolim SC defeated SCC Loutoulim 3–0 to book their spot in the quarterfinals of the 52nd Custodio Memorial Football Tournament, held at the Raia Panchayat Ground on Friday. Candolim’s Anuj Kutikar opened the scoring, followed by a brace from Nikil Naik in the 9th and 42nd minutes with well-placed shots. SCC Loutoulim’s Velroy Fernandes missed a key chance to pull one back in the 42nd minute. Chetan Dhobolkar sealed the win with Candolim’s third goal in the 46th minute. While SCC Loutoulim coach Jose Colaco worked tirelessly from the sidelines, Candolim’s coach Joe was instrumental in his team’s well-structured performance. Nikil Naik was named Man of the Match, with the award presented by Prakash Dessai, ex-GFA executive and secretary of Cuncolim Educational Institute.
Goan Reporter: Betalbatim SC Edge Past Maina SC in Penalty Shootout
Betalbatim SC sealed a 4-2 victory on penalties after a 1-1 draw in regulation time against Maina SC in a thrilling semifinal held at St John the Baptist Panchayat ground. Joywin Carneiro opened the scoring for Maina in the 11th minute, but Betalbatim equalized just two minutes later through Keith Rodrigues. With the second half full of intense end-to-end action and a disallowed goal, the match was decided in a tie-breaker, where Betalbatim’s goalkeeper made two vital saves. Aniston Fernandes of Betalbatim was awarded Man of the Match by GFA Vice President Anthony Pango.
Goan Reporter: Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda Edge Past Arlem YA in Tiebreaker to Enter Cipriano Silva Memorial Final
Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda secured a 4-2 victory via the tiebreaker against Arlem Youth Association to book their spot in the finals of the Cipriano Silva Memorial Football Tournament, organized by Ambelim SC and played at the Chinchinim Church Ground on Wednesday. After a goalless full-time, the match was decided on penalties. Xavier Afonso, Melson Fernandes, Jesvan Fernandes, and Selton Fernandes converted their chances for Fr Agnelo Paroda, while only Luan Dias and Velroy Borges managed to score for Arlem YA. Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda will now face Ambelim SC in the tournament final. Ravil of Paroda was named Man of the Match and received the award from Mr. John Viegas, Ex-Executive Engineer of the Electricity Department, in the presence of Benjamin and Jacinto D’Silva.
Goan Reporter: SAI Avtar Anjuna Advance to Semifinals of 35th St Anne’s Inter-Village Soccer 2025
SAI Avtar Anjuna booked their spot in the semifinals of the 35th All Goa St Anne’s Festival Inter-Village Soccer 2025, organized by Ponda Footballers and powered by Dr Bhatikar Charitable Trust and SAG. In a closely contested match played at the Animal Husbandry Ground in Curti–Ponda, SAI Avtar edged out host team Ponda Footballers 1–0. The lone goal of the match was scored by Faheer Mohammad in the 10th minute, giving Anjuna an early lead. Despite creating multiple chances, Ponda Footballers failed to convert and equalize, with several opportunities going off target. Faheer Mohammad’s performance earned him the Man of the Match award, presented by Inacio Noronha
Goan Reporter: Agxem SC Storm Into Semis with 5–2 Win Over Sporting Club Virabhat
Agxem Sports Club secured a commanding 5–2 victory against Sporting Club Virabhat to book their place in the semifinals of the 2nd Caniza Peixoto Memorial Football Tournament, organized by Black Arrow Boys Agxem and played at St. Alex Church Ground, Curtorim, on Tuesday. Maxiwal Castanha led the charge with a brace in the 22nd and 42nd minutes, while Agnelo Gomes (32’), Michael Paes (5’), and Prinson Martins (41’) added a goal each for Agxem SC. For Sporting Club Virabhat, Sydney Fernandes (44’) and Ryce Fernandes (30’) found the net. Jones Fernandes of Sporting Club Virabhat was named Man of the Match and received the award from Mario Gomes, Secretary of Agxem Sports Club.
Goan Reporter: Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda Storm Into Semifinals With 4–2 Victory Over United Club of Verna
Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda stormed into the semifinals of the 52nd Custodio Memorial Football Tournament with a commanding 4–2 win over United Club of Verna in the quarterfinal match held on Saturday at the Raia Panchayat Ground. The tournament is being organized by Raia Sporting Club.
The game kicked off at a high tempo, with both sides testing each other’s defenses. In the 6th minute, Godwin Fernandes of Paroda had his powerful strike saved by Verna’s goalkeeper, while Josle Fernandes of Verna was denied on the counter by Paroda’s alert custodian.
The breakthrough came in the 20th minute when Jesvan Fernandes opened the scoring for Paroda with a precise glancing header. Verna responded quickly, equalizing in the 25th minute through Roven Rego, who slotted home a left-footed effort after a smart buildup.
Paroda regained the lead in the 30th minute thanks to a clever free kick by Melson Fernandes, and kept the pressure on. Likson Rebello made it 3–1 in the 38th minute after finishing a flowing move. Just before halftime, Salvin Fernandes extended the lead to 4–1, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.
United Club of Verna managed to pull one back through Sheldon Pereira, making the final score 4–2.
Paroda’s midfield dominance was key to their victory. Ravil Fernandes of Fr Agnelo YSC Paroda was awarded Man of the Match, presented by Cynthia Fernandes, Deputy Sarpanch of the Village Panchayat Raia.
Goan Reporter: Maina SC Defeats United Club of Verna 3–0 in Benaulim Villagers Cup
Maina Sports Club stormed into the next round of the Benaulim Villagers Cup with a dominant 3–0 win over United Club of Verna at the St John the Baptist Panchayat ground. Frazer Fernandes opened the scoring in the 8th minute, giving Maina an early advantage. Despite Verna increasing the pressure in the second half, Maina goalkeeper Prakash Joshi made several crucial saves to maintain a clean sheet. Joywin Carneiro constantly troubled Verna’s backline with his blistering runs, while Verna’s goalkeeper Samuel Miranda also pulled off some fine saves to keep the scoreline from worsening. Jovel Martins doubled the lead in the 32nd minute, and Frazer Fernandes sealed the victory with his second goal in the dying moments of the game.
Goan Reporter: Youth of Pidadigal FC Blank Corjem Youth Club 4–0 to Enter Quarterfinals
Youth of Pidadigal FC defeated Corjem Youth Club 4–0 to storm into the last eight of the 2nd Caniza Peixeto Memorial 9-a-side Football Tournament, organized by Black Arrow Boys Agxem Sports Club and played at St. Alex Church Ground, Curtorim, on Wednesday. In a rain-hit match, both teams displayed decent soccer early on, but it was Youth of Pidadigal who took complete control, scoring four goals across both halves. Aliston Fernandes struck twice in the 22nd and 35th minutes, while Velroy Pais and Velrino Fernandes added one goal each in the 30th and 44th minutes respectively. For his outstanding performance, Aliston Fernandes of Youth of Pidadigal was awarded the Man of the Match by Joel Paes, member of Agxem Sports Club.