16 Dec 2019  |   05:05am IST

Aaren tricks in FC Goa's 4-2 win over Panjim

Scores a treble while Sezwin nets another; Llyod and Joyson get on score sheet for Panjim Footballers
Aaren tricks in FC Goa's 4-2 win over Panjim

Team Herald

MAPUSA: Aaren D’Silva’s hat-trick enabled Football Club Goa register a well-deserved 4-2 win over Panjim Footballers in the 12th round match of the GFA’s Professional League, played at Duler Stadium, here on Sunday.

The first leg meeting between both the teams is yet to be declared as Panjim Footballers had delayed in their CRS commitment.

FC Goa were leading 2-1 at the breather with Aaren D`Silva stealing the limelight with three goals while Sezwin Fernandes was the other goal-scorer. Lloyd Cardozo Gonsalves and Joyson Gauncar found the net for Panjim Footballers.

FC Goa were on the front foot from the kick off and were a dominant force thought out the match as this was their second consecutive match, they have netted four goals.

They scored the first in the ninth minute. A long floater from skipper Leander D`Cunha saw keeper Preston Rego misjudge the ball completely and it came to Aaren D`Silva who slid it to Sezwin Fernandes who got the better of two Panjim defenders and tapped the ball into the empty goal, 1-0.

Panjim nearly restored parity in the 17th minute but U-20 Malcolm Gonsalves sizzling 30-yard shot which was nearly creeping into the net was acrobatically pushed over the cross bar by the agile keeper Antonio Da Silva.

FC Goa muffed two decent chances of consolidating their lead through Vincy Barretto and Flan Gomes who could not keep their shots goal wards.

Aaren D`Silva got the second goal for FC Goa from the second attempt after his initial shot which was fiercely struck was brilliantly stopped by Panjim keeper Preston Rego, 2-0

Panjim who were completely outshone by their rival got a lifeline as they managed to pull one goal back in the 34th minute through Lloyd Cardozo who finished clinically after being found by Valmiky Miranda with a long ball, 2-1.

Changing end, FC Goa doubled their advantage in the 5th minute when Sweden Fernandes dangerous cross found Sezwin whose snap shot was once again well stopped by keeper Preston and the ball rolled to Aaren D’Silva who calmly guided the ball into the net with a neat header, 3-1.

Panjim showed great resilience to get back into the match with their second goal which came in the 65th minute through Joyson Gauncar who applied finishing touches from a clever pass by Chandan Gawas to set up an intriguing finish.

Panjim pushed more mew forward in search of the equalising goal and nearly found it but were denied by FC Goa keeper Antonio who brought a smart save to stop Joyson Gauncar`s well struck header from entering the goal.

Aaren D`Silva sealed the full three points for FC Goa in the 87th minute with an individual brilliant solo goal which had class written all over as he caught the entire Panjim defence napping with his mazy run from the centre circle, 4-2.

IDhar UDHAR

Idhar Udhar