Gautham tricks for Taleigao
HERALD SPORTS REPORTER
MAPUSA, FEB 21
A second half hat-trick from Gautham Kankonkar helped Sao Minguel de Taleigao to a 8-0 victory over 9-man Merces Club in GFA’s Second Division at Dr Remigio Pinto ground, Taleigao on Monday. Sao Minguel led 2-0 at the interval.
With a game still to spare, Sao Minguel qualified for the play-offs with 18 points from seven matches. Merces stand relegated after losing all eight matches.
Merces took the field with only nine-men and did well to keep their opponents at bay, until the 23rd minute when Weilleshan Rebello rounded the goalkeeper and blasted home for Sao Minguel.
Ten minutes later, Anthony Levino Pereira picked the ball up on the edge of the box and stroked it into the top corner.
Merces kept the score down at half time largely due to good team spirit and great saves from goalkeeper Joe Cunha.
Three minutes after the change of ends, Gautham Kankonkar hit the cross bar but found the back of the net with the follow up.
Four minutes later, Weilleshan Rebello netted his second, after the goalkeeper made a good save from his initial save.
In the 55th minute, Gautham punted in to make it five for Sao Minguel.
In the final five minutes, Sao Minguel stuck three more times. Gautham completed his hat-trick with a fine strike. Within two minutes, Stalin Baptista took on the goalkeeper to score and Nicholas Silveira scored in injury time to complete the drubbing.
