TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Candolim Sports Club rode their luck to pip Saligao Sporting Club 4-2 via tie-breaker and enter the semi-finals of 2nd Goan Heritage Rolling football trophy organized by Calangute Association, at Poriat ground, Calangute, on Saturday.
There was no score at full time.
Saligao Sporting held the upper hand for the major part of the match but their strikers couldn’t score.
In the opening stages, Saligao’s Bibiano Fernandes sent in a dangerous low cross to Craig Menezes but Candolim keeper Xavier Estrocio made a crucial save to deny Craig from close range.
However, it was Xavier’s last contribution in the match as he picked up an injury and had to be substituted. After a grinding haul, the match resumed and Craig had another opportunity in front of goal when his striking partner Ajay Diwadkar headed the ball in his path but Craig miss-kicked his bicycle attempt.
Post resumption, it was Candolim’s chance to break the deadlock after a defensive lapse by Saligao’s Vijayandra Shetty. But Saligao keeper Jaison D’Mello came to his side’s rescue by tipping over Sigmund Silveira’s close range header.
The teams had a frustrated spell in the final quarter as neither of them looked aggressive.
In the tie-breaker, Saligao suffered after the Bibiano’s first attempt hit the crossbar, followed by Ajit Diwadkar’s powerful shot being saved. Only Niazi Sheikh and Vesvino Miranda found the target for Saligao.
At the other hand, Candolim kept their cool and converted all their spot-kicks through Bapu Pednekar, Stanley D’Silva, Joelif Simoes and Gauresh Shirodkar.
