TEAM HERALD
MARGAO:
Cavelossim played a fine tactical game and outplayed their opponents. Initially, Margao, who had defeated NRB Vasco in the previous round, created umpteen attacks but striker Gammy Costa and Joel Camara shot wide with only Cavelossim goalkeeper Jaison D’Mello at their mercy. This served as a wake up call for Cavelossim, who regrouped quickly and tormented the rival defenders with raids.
Diminutive striker Agnelo D’Souza broke the deadlock in the 38th minute when he tapped in off a well measured cross from Rayman Fernandes. Cavelossim could have doubled their lead but their forwards Agnelo and Samson Fernandes muffed chances from ideal positions.
After the resumption, Cavelossim tried to inflate their tally and their efforts materialized when striker Samson’s brilliant right-footer bulged the net off a pass from Fredric Endro.
Stunned by the double blows, Margao regrouped and nearly reduced the margin in the 55th minute when Manush Oliveira’s flag kick from the right eluded both rival central defender Nigeria Julius Akepele and Agnelo Colaco. However, goalkeeper Jaison D’Mello collected the ball in the nick of time and averting the danger.
At the other end, Cavelossim could have increased their tally but striker Agnelo D’Sozua failed to connect a defence splitting flag kick from midfielder Wilton Gomes in the 58th minute. Later, Plecio Carvalho failed to connect Agnelo Colaco’s well measured pass. After that, the Margao goalkeeper pulled off a spectacular save to deny Agnelo D’Souza.
In the last 10 minutes, Margao went all-out to reduce the deficit with midfielder Sanford Cardozo working overtime but his efforts went down the drain as his colleagues failed to provide him with adequate support.
Cavelossim nearly made it 3-0 when Silvano Cardozo’s volley was parried away by the rival goalkeeper and the rebound hit the post and went out much to the dismay of the Cavelossim supporters.
Earlier in the 86th minute, Cavelossim suffered a jolt when their coach Kanan Priolkar was asked to leave the bench by referee Adely D’Costa for using abusive language. In the first half, Margao coach Savio Vaz was cautioned by the referee for dissent.
With this win, Cavelossim have collected 15 points from 11 matches while Margao have tallied 14 points from the same number of encounters.
Meanwhile the media men had to undergo a torrid time while covering the as GFA failed to provide the players line-up, and had to wait till the end of the match to get the names of the players. Many spectators wondered as to how GFA allotted the matches to Raia ground since the ground is in deplorable state and the players find it very difficult to play a free-flowing game on the ground. To add to their woes, the nets were in pathetic state.
Our Mapusa correspondent adds — Goa Velha Sports Club clinched three crucial points as they rallied to edge past NRB Vasco Sports Club 2-1 at Duler Stadium, here, Friday. Goa Velha led 2-1 at the breather.
In a battle to avoid relegation, Vasco fielded Anup Raj and Nigerian Emmanel Ejiogu upfront while Chatur Naik was the lone striker for Goa Velha, who are at the bottom of the table after only managing a point in their nine previous outings.
Both teams began on a positive note. Vasco’s Kamardeep Singh sent in a dangerous cross to Anup in the danger box but Goa Velha goalkeeper Siddesh Morje made his presence felt in the fourth minute and thwarted the danger.
At the other end, Goa Velha’s Saprem Diukar sent in a clever ball that sailed over Vasco defender Stephen Oteli and found Goa Velha’s Chatur Naik inside the box but the latter’s shot was blocked by Vasco goalkeeper Amar Deb in the sixth minute.
Six minutes later, Stephen was booked by referee Rosario Fernandes for his dangerous tackle on Saprem.
Vasco kept the rival defenders on their toes and surged ahead in the 18th minute. Anup crossed to Kamardeep, who set up Emmanuel inside the six-yard box for an easy tap in.
Stunned by the setback, Goa Velha tried hard in search of the equalizer and restored parity in the 33rd minute after Nestor Dias’ perfect cross was headed in by Chatur.
The equalizer came as a confidence booster for Goa Velha who began building some promising moves in the rival territory. Ferran Fernandes’ powerful long ranger went inches wide in the 38th minute. Then, Trevor Dias sent in a defence-splitting pass to Chatur but rival goalkeeper Amar came up with a timely clearance to deny Chatur a clear chance at the goal.
Goa Velha’s hard work finally paid off as they took the lead in the 40th minute after Jesmon Carvalho’s in-swinging corner-kick was beautifully volleyed in by Alber Gonsalves into the back of the net.
In the second session, Vasco substituted Australian midfielder German Cabrera with Amar Halankar. They were awarded a free-kick at the edge of the box in the 47th minute after Goa Velha’s Mecroy D’Silva brought down Anup. Off the resultant free-kick, Nigerian Emmanuel’s powerful effort was saved by Siddesh.
In the 55th minute, the referee cautioned Vasco substitute Aiken Dias for dangerously lunging on Saprem.
Vasco picked up momentum with good short passes as Anup set up Stephen inside the box, but the latter’s powerful left-footer brushed the side-netting in the 64th minute.
Subsequently, Vasco’s Prasanta Chakraborthy blasted a long ranger over the crossbar in the 80th minute.
Vasco dominated the proceedings in the final quarter but their forwards failed to convert as Goa Velha defenders Jesmon Carvalho, Ferran Fernandes, Criston Fernandes and Mecroy did a fine job in restraining the rival attackers.
Post match, GFA executive member Welvin Menezes (Goa Velha secretary) suffered from low blood pressure and had to be rushed to hospital. His condition is stable, it is learnt.
Meanwhile, in a GFA Second Division football league match at Sangolda ground, Sesa FA (Juniors) held Nagoa Sports Club 1-1. Sesa led 1-0 at half time.
Sesa started attackingly and surged ahead in the 31st minute through Alwyn Cardozo’s strike.
After resumption, Nagoa tried hard to get back into the game and equalized in the 75th minute when Mansoor Khan’s adroit placement beat the rival goalkeeper.
