MAPUSA: A A De Moira fought hard to get the better of Cuncolim Union 4-2 in the GFA’s Geno First Division League played at Duler stadium, here on Monday.
In an evenly contested match, Moira led 3-2 at the end of first half.
It was Manushawn Fernandes who put Moira ahead in the second minute with a firm header from a corner-kick into the box by Kaplesh Parwar.
Down by a goal, Cuncolim responded strongly and had two chances to get back on terms but Arvind Fernandes and Semson Fernandes could not find the back of the net from handshaking distance.
Cuncolim’s continuous pressure paid off when Xavier Rebello’s busted down the right and send a dangerous cross in the box which was well met by Semson that flashed past the keeper into the net.
Stunned by the goal, Moira held their nerves and went ahead once again through a solo-goal by Joliston Rebello in the 23rd minute while Rohit Totad consolidated the lead in the 25th minute with an adroit placement to make it 3-1.
Cuncolim’s second goal was controversial when Xavier’s long ball found Yamnursab who positioned himself and slammed the ball into the net but the goal was ruled out when referee Ritesh Parsekar looking at his assistant Devraj Tari pulled Semson Fernandes for an off-side.
The Cuncolim players strongly opposed the decision, following which the referee consulted his assistant Devraj Tari who admitted he had committed an error and the referee awarded the goal. The referee’s decision did not go well with Moira players and officials and the play was halted for ten minutes. However, Moira’s manager Marshal D’Mello came to the referee’s rescue of asking his team members to continue with the play.
Changing ends, Moira made it 4-2 in the 49th minute when Noel D’Silva who had earlier muffed an easy sitter managed to find the net with a diving header from a well-executed free-kick by Rudresh Tendulkar.
Substitute Terence Lobo nearly scored Cuncolim’s third goal but was denied by the Moira keeper Preston Rego from close range.
Cuncolim received a major jolt two minutes later when Steven Pinto was sent off by the referee for a second bookable offence.
Terence was unlucky not to find his name on the score-sheet for Cuncolim, first his header was confidently collected by keeper Preston and then his low grounder hit the post.
Moira’s Noel D’Silva received the man-of-the-match award from Services Head coach Parshuram Salwadi who won the recent Santosh Trophy.
