They beat Dramapur Sport Club 5-3
Raia: Host Raia Sporting Club booked their place in the quarterfinals of the 52nd Custodio Memorial Football Tournament with a thrilling 5-3 comeback win over Dramapur SC at the Raia Panchayat Ground on Sunday.
Garrison Fernandes opened the scoring for Raia in just the 3rd minute. But Dramapur hit back through Velrose in the 20th minute to level the score, and the teams went into the break locked at 1-1.
The second half exploded into life with Raia regaining the lead in the 38th minute, courtesy of a brilliant header from Leran Dias. However, Dramapur were quick to respond, as Om Raikar slotted home a composed finish in the 42nd minute, before Sario Gomes fired them ahead just two minutes later with a precise strike to make it 3-2.
Just when Dramapur seemed to be in control, Raia upped the tempo. Jhonson Gaukar restored parity with a well-taken goal in the 47th minute, before the turning point came in the 63rd minute when the Dramapur keeper brought down a Raia forward inside the box. Achilles Fernandes made no mistake from the spot to put Raia 4-3 ahead.
With Dramapur chasing the game, Raia sealed the deal deep into stoppage time as substitute Oilex Oliveira found the net in the 70+5 minute, completing an emphatic victory for the home side.
Raia Sporting’s Allen Fernandes was awarded the Man of the Match by Peter Quadros.