TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Defending champions Salgaocar Football Club trounced Wilred Leisure Sports Club 3-0 in a round four match of Airtel Goa Pro League football at Duler Stadium, here, Thursday. Salgaocar led 1-0 at the breather.
Aslon Oliveira gave the Green Brigade the lead in the first session. Their Scottish signing Darryl Duffy registered a quick brace on his debut after coming on as a substitute in the final quarter.
Salgaocar maintained their fourth consecutive clean sheet as they topped the table with 12 points while Wilred are in the ninth place with one point.
Salgaocar started attackingly and surged ahead in the 12th minute through U-20 Aslon Oliveira. Midfielder Clifton Dias sent an intelligent through ball to Aslon, who timed his run perfectly and shot past Wilred custodian Jovial Coutinho with a deft placement.
Eight minutes later, Salgaocar earned a penalty when Wilred’s Benzu Clemente brought down Marcus Mascarenhas inside the danger zone. However, off the resultant spot kick Salgaocar’s Milagres Gonsalves’ shot hit the crosspiece.
At the other end, Wilred were trying hard to create openings but their attacks were restrained by the strong rival defenders. Their only shot on target came in the 38th minute when Bazileo Rego’s powerful long ranger was blocked by Salgaocar goalkeeper Albino Gomes.
Just before the lemon break, Salgaocar were unlucky as Marcus’ rasping effort hit the upright and then Karma Tsewang failed to tap the ball into the open goal after cleverly getting past goalkeeper Jovial.
Changing over, Wilred tried hard in search of the equalizer but Jerose Oliveira’s powerful header missed the mark narrowly off a cross from substitute Joseph Dias at the hour mark.
Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira brought in strikers Bali Gagandeep and Scottish Darryl Duffy. The duo worked tirelessly and kept the rival defenders on their toes.
In the 87th minute, Darryl scored his team’s second goal off a low cross from substitute Brian Mascarenhas.
Salgaocar skipper Nicolao Colaco moved dangerously inside the rival territory but he was brought down by Wilred’s Bonny Niasso in the injury time. Referee Anthony Simoes booked Bonny and awarded Salgaocar their second penalty of the evening which was coolly converted this time by Darryl.
