Hosts Santa Cruz Club Cavelossim pulled off a major upset as they edged past defending champions Uguem Rising Club 1-0 to book their place in the quarter-finals of the Cavelossim Panchayat Cup, organised by Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim and played at the Fr. Druston and Wellington Ground, Cavelossim.
The all-important goal came as early as the 5th minute. A well-worked move saw Aswin Mascarenhas thread a precise pass to Blaine Rodrigues, who delivered a cross to Darren Estibeiro. He calmly laid it off to an unmarked Ronan Pereira, who made no mistake in slotting the ball home from close range to give Cavelossim the lead.
Uguem responded immediately, with Hadlee Carvalho coming close through a powerful header, but goalkeeper Cannute D’Mello produced a brilliant diving save to his right to keep his side ahead.
After the break, Uguem Rising Club increased the pressure with better ball possession and accurate passing, but Cavelossim’s defense, led by Raju Cardozo and Dezlan Passanha, stood firm to deny them an equaliser. The match took another turn ten minutes before the final whistle when referee Rosario Fernandes sent off Dowson Estibeiro, reducing Cavelossim to ten men.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, Uguem failed to capitalize, as Cannute D’Mello delivered a heroic performance under the bar, pulling off a series of outstanding saves, including several goal-bound efforts, to maintain a clean sheet.
For his match-winning display, Cannute D’Mello was awarded the Man of the Match, with the honour presented by Lazarinho Miranda, former Sarpanch of VP Cavelossim.
