Team Herald
MAPUSA: Gokulam Football Club made it into the final of 1st AWES Cup, organised by Goa Football Association and Dempo Sports Club Juniors after securing a hard fought 1-0 win over Salgaocar FC in the second semi-final, played at Duler Stadium, here on Friday.
The Kerala club will face Dempo Sports Club in the final on Sunday at 3.45 p.m.
Salgaocar missed the services of Umesh Harijan who was serving a suspension due to consecutive bookings in the last two matches. Coach Norberto Gonsalves brought in Denil Rebello to fill his place in the starting XI. While, Gokulam Bino George also made few changes bringing in keeper Hemanta Gosh, Ananthu Murali and last match scorer Shihad N.
Gokulam started well with an attacking football and almost came close twice within first ten minutes. Nigerian striker Adelaja’s weak shot from inside the box was easily collected by Salgaocar keeper Abhijit Das.
In the next minute, they once again came close to scoring but Salgaocar defender Lenny Pereira cleared Shushant Mathew’s cross when he was trying to find Adelaja in the box.
Five minutes later, they had another chance to open their tally when Shinu found Shihad in the box with a pinpoint perfect cross from the distance but Salgaocar’s Harmanjot made no mistake to clear it in time for a corner. A few minutes later, Adelaja was in action again when he made his way past two defenders and found Shihad in front of the goal but the striker saw his effort miss the target.
In the 80th minutes, the home supporters almost jumped in the celebration when Gilbert found on rushing striker Clencio Pinto who came in for exhausted Agnelo, in front of the goal with only keeper to beat but the front man fumbled with the ball and keeper Hemanta quickly took over the ball. This was the only potent attempt by the Green Brigade in the second session.
With both teams failing to score in last few minutes, it was looking like the match will be decided in shoot-out but tournament top-scorer Adelaja rescued his side when he intercepted a back pass header from Rosario Mendes and made no mistake to beat advancing keeper Das with a fine chip shot from the edge of the box, making it 1-0 for the Kerala side and confirming their final ticket.
