Justin Dhaliwal proved good to his word.

The Cariboo Hill Chargers striker scored the game-winning goal in a 2-1 victory over AAA rival Burnaby South Rebels that gave the east Burnaby high school its first district playoff boys' soccer banner in recent memory.

Just two days earlier following a semifinal win over Burnaby North, Dhaliwal all but predicted the win against South to the Burnaby NOW.

But the outcome of Wednesday was never a sure thing for the AA Chargers.

South captain Matt Shannik gave the Rebels a 1-0 at the 30th-minute mark of the first half.

Luiz Bemfica evened the contest just minutes later with his second straight goal of the playoffs, which seemed to settle the Cariboo Hill squad.

"We were down 1-0. It was heartbreaking," said Dhaliwal. "But we tied it and became more confident. It's the effort that did it."

With less than 10 minutes remaining in the second half, Dhaliwal got the opportunity to play hero after teammate Alejandro Castelblanco fired a long shot from outside the 18-yard box that gave the South keeper trouble.

The ensuing rebound dropped to a wide open Dhaliwal waiting inside the six-yard box. The tall Charger striker then wasted no time firing the ball into the right hand corner of the net.

"You just feel like the happiest person alive and with seven minutes left (you feel) even better," described Castelblanco on setting up the game-winning goal.

But South was far from done. With time ticking down, Shannik had a glorious chance to draw his team even, but was stymied by the capable goalkeeping of Cariboo keeper Juggi Dosanjh.

"I had a feeling and I just went there, and got my hands on it," said Dosanjh of his last-minute stop.

With just two minutes left in regulation time, Shannik got himself into a scoring position and with a gaping right side of the net took a high shot at goal from close range.

Dosanjh guessed right and made the game-saving diving save.

"We did it," said Dosanjh, who could not contain a wide smile following the match. "I don't think we've ever won a banner on our senior team."

Cariboo will play the North Shore AA champion at William Griffin Turf on Nov. 6.

South will also get the opportunity to qualify for the AAA provincials when it meets West Vancouver at Burnaby Lake Sports Complex-West on Nov. 6.

A Nov. 8 backdoor berth to their respective high school championships is also available for both schools in the case of a loss.