MAPUSA: Calangute Association SC managed to scrape past Panjim Footballers, 3-2, in their last Goa Professional League match, held Duler stadium, here, on Tuesday.
After today’s win Calangute Association stays on 8th position with 34 points while Panjim Footballers are on 12th position with just 9 points.
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The Capital side unit stunned their opponents with an early 4th minute goal. A stiff grounder by medio Kangabam Meitei was blocked with a full stretched diving save by Calangute’s goalkeeper Sanij Bugde only to find overlapping skipper Maximo D’Costa stab the ball into the nets 1-0.
Just two minutes later Silvano Oliveira saw his placement miss the target narrowly.
As the match progressed beachside lads pinned their opponents inside their own territory. Sanjay Vengurlekar’s placement was brilliantly pushed to safety by Panjim’s custodian Pratik Kankonkar while Anuj Kuttikar and Joywin Andy’s placement went out.
However, finally in the 30th minute Jovito Fernandes collecting a through pass from Akash, dribbled past the onrushing Panjim’s keeper and scored, 1-1.
In the 41st minute Calangute Association further increased their lead with Anuj Kuttikar dribbling past the defenders and scoring 2-1.
On crossing ends Calangute Association did start earnestly but Kirtikesh Gadekar stiff grounder was saved by rival goalkeeper while Richard Cardozo strike from outside the penalty box zoomed over the crossbar.
There was sudden transformation from the Capital side unit where they repeatedly raided the rival citadel.
Two free-kicks by Kangabam Meitei and Darwin Carvalho was saved by Calangute’s custodian Sanij while Mackenzie Figureido shot at the goal hit rival defender for a corner.
But this time in the 76th minute, a 25-yard shot by Mackenzie dipped into the far corner of the goal beating Calangute’s custodian, 2-2.
Substitute Pratesh Shirodkar scored the match winning goal in the 89th minute off a rebound from the rival goalkeeper, 3-2.
Calangute Kirtikesh Gadekar received the man-of-the-match award from Alirio Lobo – president of Calangute Association.
