RAIA: Services scored a solitary goal win against Goa in the 37th National Games played at Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Monday.
The all-important goal of the match was scored by substitute Bikash Thapa in the 82nd minute of the match. Thingnam Bidhyasagar Singh midfielder of Services was the star of the match with his power-packed shots, controlling the midfield, defence and forward line. Goa’s Clencio Pinto was at his best.
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Clencio missed a chance to score in the very third minute. Services defender Boinao Singh’s long ranger failed to pop up into his net in the 12th minute. Then Midfielder Rahul Ramakrishnan and striker Samir Murmu missed chances to score for Services in the 14th and 160th minutes respectively.
The powerful long-ranger of Services defender Pradeep Kumar was thwarted in the 21st minute by Goa goalkeeper Ozen Silva by pushing away the ball to safety.
Later, Services midfielder Vijay J missed an open chance to score from the box as the ball missed the target by whiskers in the 31st minute. Services striker Samir Murmu’s shot over the crossbar of Goa in the 47th minute.
Goa also made inroads in the rival citadel, midfielder Leewan Castanha’s long ranger was pushed away to safety by Services goalkeeper Sayad Bin Abdul Kadir in the 55th minute.
Immediately, Midfielder Thingnam Bidhyasagar Singh moved into Goa box and shot towards the goal but Goa goalkeeper Ozen pushed away the ball to safety in the 59th minute. After some midfield play, substitute striker of Services Bikash Thapa scored the winner in the 82th minute.
