Team Herald
MAPUSA: Penha de Franca scored a narrow solitary goal win over Goa Police Sports Club in the GFA’s 1st Division League match played at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Saturday.
Both sides fought equally well and had they converted the chances that came their way the score-sheet would have read differently.
It was Penha de Franca who would have had the first crack at the rival goal when Josley Dias sneaked into the rival citadel and unleashed a powerful shot which was kept away by the diving keeper Niklesh Naik.
Couple of minutes later Goa Police keeper Niklesh once again came with a brilliant save to get his hands onto Sagar Bathkande’s cross before Suraj Kautankar who was lurking nearby could do any damage.
At the other end Vineet Bugde saw his blistering 30-yard shot sail inches past the Penha de Franca goal.
Two minutes later Sagar Batkhande weaved his way into the rival citadel only to tap the ball into the waiting hands of the Goa Police keeper.
Vineet Bugde once again tried a long range strike but this time he was denied by the diving Penha de Franca keeper Adney Fernandes.
In the 23rd minute of play Princeton Rebello sent a pinpoint cross right inside the Goa Police goal area to unmarked Sagar, however he surprisingly headed the ball wide.
The much awaited goal was finally scored in the 26th minute of play when Anil Gaonkar ran up the right flank and sent in a curling cross whereby Goa Police defender in the process of clearing the ball saw it enter his own nets, 1-0.
Crossing over both the sides continued with their attacking play but both the keepers proved apt for the task.
In the 57th minute, Vivek Kanulkar charged up the left flank and tried to curl the ball into the goal however Goa Police keeper managed to foil his effort.
Two minutes later Anil Gaonkar weaved his way past the Goa Police defenders and sent the ball inside the goal area, however none of the strikers followed up to tap the ball home.
For Goa Police, Sachin Chopdekar sent the ball to unmarked Shaikh Mouzza Saliya who blasted the ball wide from inside the 18-yard box.
In the 78th minute Shubhan Malvankar saw his 30-yard strike curl just past the Goa Police goal.
At the other end, Vineet Budge was yet again unlucky not to score as his powerful strike from the top of the box missed narrowly.
With six minutes of time being added- on Goa Police almost came with a late equalizer when stopper back Swananand Naik sent a defence splitting cross to substitute Tushar Dessai who faltered when it matted most.
