Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Albert Developers Sports Club kept their poise in the final minutes to find the equalizer and hold Candolim Sports Club to a 2-2 draw in the GFA’s 2nd Division play-off match, at Duler stadium, here on Monday.
Both the teams have qualified for the State final with Albert Developers finishing top of the group with seven points, while Candolim Sports Club collected five points.
The scores were levelled 1-1 at half time with Saprem Diukar getting both the goals for Candolim while Paulo Joao and Gourav Kankonkar found the net for Albert Developers.
In a fast-paced encounter, Albert Developers went ahead in the fifth minute through Paulo Joao’s well-directed header from a corner kick taken by Joel Fernandes.
However, Saprem Diukar’s individual brilliance saw Candolim get back on terms when a controlled pass from Aniket Agarwader, Saprem darted into the box and after outfoxing defender Paulo unleashed a fierce shot which has no answer by the Developers keeper to make it 1-1.
The Candolim keeper Augustin D’Mello brought up a smart stop in the 25th minute to deny Ronil Azavedo from a move set up by Joel Fernandes and Gourav Kankonkar.
Saprem nearly got his second goal but his placement was stopped on the goal-line by defender Viraj Naik after being put through by Pundalik.
Joel should have made it 2-1 in the 33rd minute for Albert Developers but his placement from close range went straight into the waiting keeper’s hands.
Crossing ends, Brison Fernandes’ clever run in the 57th minute found Neuton Fernandes with a through pass who could not keep his shot on target.
Candolim got their goal in the 80th minute through Saprem Diukar who despite his height, jumped his run to perfection to meet Dwayne Britto’s corner and head the ball into the net to make it 2-1.
Just when it looked Candolim had wrapped up all the three points, Albert Developers kept their poise to score the decisive equaliser in the 87th minute through Gourav Kankonkar who slotted the ball past keeper Augustin to make it 2-2.
In another match at Poriat ground, Milagres SC recorded a 4-0 win over Shree Nagesh Maharudra SC.
Llyod Cardozo scored a brace for the winners while Schubert Colaco and Valito Miranda scored a goal each for the winning side.
