Former champions Goa survived anxious moments against Tamil Nadu before skipper Climax Lawrence scored the winner late in the second half as they began their campaign in the Santosh Trophy National Football Championship on a winning note.
Earlier in the day, Services blanked Uttar Pradesh 3-0 to bag three vital points in another quarter-final league Group A clash.
Services, who led 1-0 at half-time, scored through Vijay Thapa (28th minute), man of the match M Reghu Kumar (85) and Shaji A D'Silva (injury time).
Services, who made the semi-finals in 2002 at Manipur, now have to meet the challenge of favourites Bengal to progress to the semi-finals.
Tamil Nadu almost broke the hearts of passionate Goan fans as they shared honours till Climax, who was declared man of the match, scored the winner in the 72nd minute.
The Goans now have to get the better of a strong Punjab team in a needle clash on Sunday.
