AGENCIES, PANJIM: Goa started their Santosh Trophy campaign with a win as they edged past hosts Assam by a solitary goal in a Group III match of the 76th National Football Championship played at SAI Training Centre, Kokrajhar.
A spectacular long-ranger by Stendly Fernandes in the second half brought Goa full points from their opener as they attempt to make amends for not qualifying for the main event last season.
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Goa began in an attacking mode pinning Assam behind. The hosts, however, threatened through counter-attacks but failed to breach Goa’s solid defence led by Shallum Pires and Clive Miranda along with skipper Jovel Martin and Liston Cardozo.
Goa, however, had their opportunities and Stendly and Clive went close.
Assam, on their part, almost scored from a counter-attack in the 27th minute when Jwngbla Brahma found himself in a commanding position inside the box but shot over from close range.
Assam had a gilt-edged chance to score but Milan Basumatary’s perfect cross found Brahma’s header fisted over by Goa keeper Hansel Coelho.
Goa broke the deadlock in the 49th minute when a long throw-in by skipper Jovel Martin was sent to Stendly Fernandes by Clencio Pinto. Stendly’s shot from distance gave Arup Baruah in Assam’s goal no chance.
Assam goalkeeper Baruah, coming off his line, prevented Goa from going ahead in the 69th minute when he foiled Trijoy Dias.
The busy Baruah was again in the thick of action when he kept Harsh Patre’s searching curler at bay.
Stendly then went agonizingly close to putting Ganesh’s cut-back away, failing to find the target by inches.
Assam fired on all cylinders for the equalizer as the minutes ticked away but Hansel kept his composure to help preserve his team’s slender lead.
