TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Candolim Sports Club knocked-out United Club Nerul 6-5 via tie-breaker to enter the final of 2nd Goan Heritage Cup All-Goa inter-village football tournament at Poriat ground, Calangute, Tuesday.
The teams were locked 1-1 at full time.
After a barren first half, Royston Pereira broke the deadlock for Candolim by converting a 39th minute free-kick from the edge of the box but their rivals responded soon and earned a penalty which was converted by Felix Barreto to force a tie-breaker.
Candolim held the upper hand in the opening exchanges. Klieber D’Souza’s close range header sailed inches over while Joelif Simoes was unlucky before the break as his free-kick rattle the horizontal bar.
Post resumption, Candolim had a glorious opportunity when Bapu Pednekar sent in a perfect cross from the right flank to Sigmund Silveira but the latter headed over from hand-shaking distance.
However, Sigmund soon made amends by earning his team a free-kick at the edge of the box, which was calmly converted by Royston.
The match then turned frantic as Nerul charged forward. A nervous moment saw striker Xavier Clemente pull the trigger from close but then Candolim’s Gauresh Shirodkar was guilty of handling the ball in the danger zone. Referee Celvin Fernandes pointed towards the spot-kick and Felix coolly converted it to 1-1. With five minutes to go for the final whistle, Nerul almost scored the match-winner but striker Francis Camelo’s attempt was cleared at goalline by Candolim center-back Stanley D’Silva.
In the penalty shoot-out, Bapu, Royston, Stanley, Joelif and Gauresh scored for Candolim while Manuel Crasto, Xavier, Rajat Chopdekar and Russel Fernandes converted for Nerul. Felix was unlucky as his first attempt hit the crossbar.
Candolim will take on host Calangute Association in the final on Sunday.
