Team Herald
MAPUSA: Candolim Sports Club scored a narrow 1-0 win over St Savio’s Sports Club, Calangute in the GFA’s 3rd Division play-off match, played at Poriat ground, Calangute, here, on Wednesday. Both the teams having lost in the semi-final stage showed great promise and started off the match brightly coming up with a series of threatening moves.
However, their strikers failed to convert on entering the danger zone.
After several failed attempts, it was Candolim SC who struck the match winning goal in the 28th minute of play when Ashley Lobo sent a pinpoint cross to unmarked Nikhil Naik, who rose high to nod the ball into the Calangute nets, 1-0.
Izahar Khan could have levelled terms for St Savio SC three minutes later, however, his strike missed the target narrowly.
Crossing over, Calangute SC pressed hard for an equaliser. However, in the 60th minute, Deepak saw his cross ricochet off the crossbar and travel to Deep Govekar whose low grounder was kept away by the diving Candolim SC goalkeeper Marshal Fernandes and then in the 87th minute Deep too was denied by the crossbar.
A minute later, Deep moved dangerously into the Candolim SC citadel, however, his strike was brilliantly paired away by Candolim SC keeper.
Earlier, Benny XI, Mapusa and A. A. De Moira had already qualified for next season Second Division League 2016-17.
