AGENCIES, ODISHA: Goa beat Uttarakhand 3-0 in the 23rd Senior Women’s National Football Championship, at Odisha, on Wednesday.
Goa came second behind Tamil Nadu after both the teams finished on seven points; however; Tamil Nadu marched on into the quarter-finals with a superior goal-difference.
Goa went all out and had a great control of the match as strikers Michel Castanha, Karishma Shirvoikar and Valenie Fernandes were busy trying to find goals.
Goa could have opened the account in the 5th minute but striker Karishma Shirvoikar couldn’t guide home the ball passed by Linda Colaco.
Goa finally found the breakthrough in the 35 minute when hard working stopper Scindia Saundatika sent a curling free kick to unmarked Michel Castanha who kept her cool and slotted the ball into the nets to make it 1-0.
Karishma Shirvoikar made it 2-0 in 38th minute when Cynthia Lobo received the ball from Sujita Murgaonkar and passed the ball to Karishma Shirvoikar who made no mistake net the second goal.
Later, Valenie Fernandes sent a through ball to Karishma Shirvoikar who made a brilliant run in the penalty area but the striker had a dangerous collision with the rival goalkeeper, the striker had to be subbed off as she couldn’t continue after the knock.
In the second half, Goa regrouped and raided the opponent citadel with good combination play from Sujita Murgaonkar, Valenie Fernandes and Nevilla Colaco and made it 3-0 when Nevilla Colaco registered her name on the score sheet in the 49th minute.
Goa could have increase the tally but wasted a lot of opportunities that came their way.
Goa coach Anthony Vas brought in Ansiva Vaz but the striker did not make her presence felt on the field.
