TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
CALANGUTE: Saligao United overcame Nerul Sports Club 2-0 to move into the final of Candolim Village Panchayat Cup football tournament organized by Candolim Sports Club at Dr Gustavo Monteiro ground, Candolim, Wednesday.
Saligao attacked the Nerul citadel right from the word go and came close to scoring but a Cliffton D’Souza header missed the mark narrowly after being well fed by Nestor Dias in the very first minute.
Nerul did not lag behind and almost scored in the sixth minute but Mukund Agarwadekar shot straight into the safe hands of rival goalkeeper Dietmar Fernandes.
In the 15th minute, Abhijit Govenkar’s shot was collected by Nerul goalkeeper Niklesh Naik.
Changing over, Nerul created a few scoring opportunities but their forwards fumbled at crucial moments.
Saligao forged ahead in the 40th minute through Cliffton off a cross from Trevor Dias. Stunned by the reverse, Nerul went all-out in search of the equalizer but their forwards muffed chances. Nerul had a golden opportunity to draw level when they were awarded a penalty in the 42nd minute after James brought down Sidhant Naik in the danger zone. Sidhant who was entrusted with the kick saw his try being saved by a diving Dietmar.
Saligao almost doubled the lead in the 50th minute but Francis shot straight to goalkeeper Niklesh. Cliffton scored the second goal for Saligao in the dying minutes off a pass from Francis.
