SUNDAY, MAY 19, 2024
Team Herald
MAPUSA: Albert Developers FC played the game of their life as they came back thrice to defeat Cuncolim Union SC by 4-3 margin in the GFA’s Division I League play-offs played at Duler Stadium, here, on Sunday.
Cuncolim Union having lost to Goa Police in their earlier play-off match, started earnestly and took two goals lead through striker Hanslum Furtado in the 31st and 35th minute only to find Albert Developers regrouped themselves and also scored two quick goals through Saish Kavlekar and skipper Rajat Chopdekar to go into the dressing room locked in a 2-2 draw.
Earlier in the match, Albert Developers’ Saish Kavlekar goal-bound strike hit the rival defender for a corner, while Shanker Gaunder shot was brilliantly saved by Cuncolim Union keeper Suresh Lamani.
A minute before the breather, Albert Developers’ Velroy Cardozo set up Ranjit Tete in front of the goal whose diving header was pushed for a corner by keeper Suresh with a full stretched diving save.
On crossing over in the 58th minute, Albert Developers custodian Vikrant Sharma brought down Union SC’s Hanslum prompting Referee Ritesh Parsekar to point to the dreaded spot.
Hanslum Furtado stepped forward to score and complete his hat-trick 3-2. lbert Developers fought gallantly by not only finding the equaliser in the 66th minute through Saish Kavelkar's individual brilliancy but in the 84th minute substitute Sushant Borkar scored a gem of a goal by connecting Saidatt Hanjunkar cross past the helpless Cuncolim Union SC custodian to make it 4-3.
Goa Police have six points, while Albert Developers now has four points and both teams will be playing their last match to decide which team will qualify for next year’s Goa Professional League.
At Poriat ground, Calangute, Goa Police drubbed Candolim SC by 3-0 margin.
Nahul Gawas, Subham Shirvoikar and Kunal Salgaonkar scored a goal each.
