MARGAO
Wilred Leisure Sports Club edged past Arlem Youth Association (AYA), Raia, 1–0 to advance to the semifinals of the 19th All Goa Guirdolim Panchayat Cup, organised by Guirdolim Club and played at the Chandor Church Sports Complex on Saturday.
Wilred had the first clear chance in the 4th minute when a quick run by winger Nallister Silveira set up Milagres, who blasted over from close range. AYA responded swiftly in the 7th minute through a counterattack, but defender Jovel Martins’ timely challenge thwarted Sheehan before he could strike.
Wilred continued to press, with Nallister forcing an acrobatic save in the 15th minute. AYA’s Myron Pereira nearly put his team ahead three minutes later but failed to keep his header on target. The breakthrough finally came in the 20th minute after another blistering run down the left, Nallister squared the ball to Milagres, who laid it off to Afileo to calmly slot home past the diving AYA goalkeeper.
Both teams squandered opportunities before halftime, with Rivo Borges coming agonisingly close to equalising for AYA, his effort missing by a whisker.
The second half saw the same intensity. Nallister remained a constant menace for Wilred, supported well by Milagres and Afileo. AYA depended heavily on Sanjiro Pango, who repeatedly split the Wilred defence with incisive passes, but his forwards failed to convert. AYA came close to levelling in the dying moments when a long-range effort from Delan took an awkward bounce, forcing goalkeeper Johnson Bogot to tip it over. Delan had another chance from a long throw in stoppage time but headed wide with only the keeper to beat.
Wilred Leisure Sports Club held on to their slender lead to book a place in the semifinals.
Nallister Silveira of Wilred Leisure Sports Club was awarded the Player of the Match trophy by Jose Peixoto, Ex-Co member of Guirdolim Club.
