Goa, July 14 -- Team Herald

sports@herald-goa.com

RAIA: Sao Jose de Areal edged past a resilient Navelim Sporting Club 5-4 via a tie-breaker to win the opening match and moved into the next round of 46th Cana Benaulim Soccer Championship organised by Sporting Club Cana Benaulim, at Dando ground, Benaulim, on Monday.

Despite entering the field with only nine-man, Navelim SC adopted a solid defensive strategy and held Sao Jose de Areal to a goalless first half.

Sao Jose de Areal shifted to a three-forward formation after the break but were repeatedly denied by a determined Navelim SC defence marshalled by Joyson and Roven.

Despite the numerical advantage, Sao Jose de Areal failed to capitalise on their chances, with off-target efforts ...