TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: Substitute striker Pankaj Gurkha’s brace helped Corps of Signals to register a fluent 3-0 win over Clube de Sao Miguel de Talegiao in their concluding match of GFA First Division League football at 3MTR ground, Navelim, Tuesday. There was no score at half time.
Signals started on a promising note and nearly broke the deadlock in the very ninth minute when striker Lalaruat Fela received the ball from midfielder LH Sangha and the former unleashed a left-footer but Taleigao goalkeeper Risven Fernandes came to his side’s rescue and pulled off a spectacular save to deny him.
Crossing over, Signals played with purpose and tried to break the deadlock and put tremendous pressure on the rival defence. Their efforts materialized in the 47th minute when striker Mohammed Ibrahim picked the ball from Roshan Singh and the former deceived the rival defenders and punted the ball to the far corner of the net. Signals had a chance to inflate their tally but midfielder Nim Tshering’s snap shot was well collected by the rival goalkeeper.
Later, Lalaruat failed to connect a defence splitting pass from Topo in the 50th minute. Signals doubled their lead in the 89th minute when left-half Budi Bahadur raced down the flank and essayed a fine pass to striker Pankaj, who without wasting time flicked the ball over the head of rival goalkeeper Risven Fernandes.
Spurred by the 2-0 cushion, Signals maintained the tempo and could have scored more goals had not striker Mohammed and Topo muffed easy chances. Pankaj completed his brace in the injury when he struck off a through ball from Ibrahim.
With this win, Signals finished their engagements with 24 points from 14 matches while Taleigao ended with 18 points from the same number of encounters.
At DSYA ground, Curtorim, Curtorim Gymkhana demolished Calangute Association 4-2 despite trailing 0-1 at the breather.
Curtorim fielded their reserve players and rested regulars and the youngsters did not disappoint assistant coach Alex Dias. Calangute Association were the first to settle down and forged ahead drew in the 39th minute when striker Stalin Baptista bulged the net.
Crossing over, Curtorim put up a better display and equalized in the 67th minute when striker Rosario Fernandes punished the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot. Spurred by the equalizer, Curtorim swarmed all over the rival territory when promising striker Joston Gunja unleashed a 25 yard shot which dipped into the goal leaving rival goalkeeper dazed in the 72nd minute.
Two minutes later, Neves Noronha put the issue beyond doubt when he slotted past the rival goalkeeper.
Stunned by deficit, Calangute went into an attacking mode and reduced the deficit when Stalin struck for the second time in the 80th minute. Joston Gunja drove the last nail into rival coffin.
Meanwhile, Curtorim coach Roque Carneiro is understood to be terribly upset over certain remarks made by some executive committee members. The comments have said to hurt him and thus did not accompany the team. Assistant coach Alex Dias has taken over as coach in the absence of Carneiro.
Curtorim finished their engagements with 24 points from 14 matches while Calangute Association ended with 25 points from 14 encounters.
