Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Velsao Sports & Cultural Club finally tasted their first win with a 2-1 margin over Panjim Footballers in the Goa Professional League played at Duler stadium, here, on Wednesday.
Velsao SCC languishing at the bottom of the league table with just a point from six league matches had every purpose to aim for a win and with Assistant coach Climax Lawrence shouting instructions in the absence of coach Jude Barretto finally tasted success.
After number of missed chances, finally in the 39th minute Jesloy Moniz headed the ball home off a perfect goal mouth cross by Brian Mascarenhas to give his side the lead.
After quarter of the first session restricted to midfield, Velsao held the upper hand and time and again attacked the rival citadel.
Earlier in the match, three close attempts by Jesloy Moniz and U-20 Rohan Rodrigues went out while Klusner Pereira’s header off a free-kick sailed just over the cross bar.
The best chance to take the lead went in vain for Velsao in the 38th minute when Savelon Cardozo moved dangerously inside the penalty box and latched a power packed shot which was brilliantly blocked by Xavier Rebello on the way to the goal.
However, finally a minute later, Velsao scored through Jesloy Moniz with a placing header.
On crossing ends, Capital side came with renewed ideas and showed some urgency in their attack.
Panjim’s U-20 Pandurang Gauns cross at the goal was excellently blocked by Velsao keeper Presley Mascarenhas and the ball travelled to Vallmiky Miranda who failed to keep his shot on target.
Velsao once again regrouped themselves and squandered numerous scoring chances. The best came in the 62nd minute when Panjim keeper Karol Soares fumbled in his collection but defender Janio Fernandes cleared to safety.
Velsao’s Josley failed twice to score where his tap from close went over the cross bar while minutes later his tap off a cross by Shameer hit the upright.
Panjim Footballers stunned their opponents with an equaliser in the 79th minute where a long floater at the goal saw substitute Akram Yadwad tap the ball into the goal past the onrushing keeper Presley to make it 1-1.
When it looked the teams were heading for a draw a stiff grounder from the edge of the box by Brian Mascarenhas gave the first win for Velsao SCC.
