They beat nine-man Navelim SC 5-4 via tie-breaker
Benaulim: Sao Jose de Areal edged out a Navelim Sporting Club 5-4 via tie-breaker in the opening match of the 46th Cana Benaulim Soccer Championship 2025, organised by Sporting Club Cana Benaulim at St John the Baptist ground, Dando, Benaulim on Monday.
Despite starting with just nine men, Navelim set up a disciplined defensive block, thwarting away threats and frustrating Areal and keeping the first half goalless.
After the break, Areal pushed hard for a breakthrough, but the resilient Navelim backline, marshalled superbly by Joyson and Roven, held firm.
Areal’s numerical advantage counted for little as their finishing let them down, with a series of missed chances and off-target strikes keeping the score locked at 0-0 after regulation time.
In the shootout, however, Areal kept their composand proced to be better shooters from the spot to defeat Navelim 5-1, sealing an opening day win in the tournament.
