Team Herald
MAPUSA: Riding on Ronaldo Oliveira’s three goal blitz, Salgaocar Football Club registered a thumping 6-0 win over Panjim Footballers in the Goa Professional League match organised by GFA, played at Duler stadium, here, on Monday.
With today’s win, Salgaocar moved to 41 points from 18 matches while Panjim Footballers remained on 15 points from 22 matches.
Ronaldo Oliveira who was unstoppable got a hat-trick with Ribhav Sardessai, Devendra Murgaonkar and Josbon Fernandes contributing the other goals. Salgaocar led 1-0 at half time.
The first half was evenly contested with both teams creating chances wherein in the 10th minute Devendra’s strike flew inches off target for the Green Brigade while at the other end Valmiky Miranda’s free-kick did not pose much trouble to the keeper.
U-20 striker Ribhav Sardessai scored a gem of a goal to put Salgaocar ahead in the 24th minute when his curling shot nestled into the net giving no chance to keeper Sherwin after being put through by Ronaldo Oliveira.
Salgaocar nearly doubled their lead before half time but keeper Sherwin’s full stretch dive kept Samuel Costa’s 25-yard pile driver from crashing into the net.
On resumption of second half, Salgaocar were a different unit with Ronaldo who was a thorn in the Panjim defence getting his hat-trick.
The first goal for Ronaldo coming in the 56th minute from a solo-run as he beat the defence and the keeper with his deft footwork while the second came in the 70th minute once again with a clever placement with Devendra setting him up.
Ronaldo’s third goal in the 77th minute was a well-connected volley from a cross delivered by Selwyn.
Salgaocar were on a rampage and fired in two more goals in the last five minutes through Devendra and substitute Josbon Fernandes from the spot kick after he was brought down inside the danger box by Panjim keeper Sherwin to complete the rout.
