20 Oct 2021  |   06:06am IST

Jovial scores stunner as FC Goa prevail

Maven was the other goalscorer as Gaurs beat Velsao SCC

Team Herald

PANJIM: FC Goa grabbed full points against Velsao Sports and Cultural Club in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday.

Jovial Dias and Mevan Dias scored for the Gaurs in the either half to ensure the Gaurs begin their Goa Pro League campaign with a win. 

FC Goa keeper Hansel Coelho came with a fine save early in the game when he denied Rohan Rodrigues, who struck from the edge of the box.

In the 21st minute, Rohan did well for Velsao to intercept a quick free-kick but couldn't keep his shot on target as Hansel came charging to close him down one on one.

With Velsao missing the chances, FC Goa struck with a brilliant goal.  Jovial Dias scored a stunner in the 27th minute to send his team ahead in the game. Ivon Costa winning the ball in the midfield played it to Jovial, who danced his way past couple of Velsao SCC players before pulling the trigger from 35-yards out. Velsao keeper got his hand to the shot, but couldn't keep the ball from entering th nets.

In the 40th minute, FC Goa nearly doubled the account and this time it would have been Ivon from a free-kick just outside the box. However, the youngster’s strike hit the crossbar and went out of the play.

FC Goa's Jovial missed a glorious chance to double the tally just before the breather when Vasim Inamdar set up the first goal scorer though however, the strikers' shot was way off target from an acute angle with Velsao SCC keeper Jeet Gupta covering the goal.

Velsao's Chadel Fernandes had a chance to restore parity just before the breather, but he headed wide from close.

The second half was lively yet there weren't as many chances created as compared to the first half.

FC Goa had the chance to double the lead in the 53rd minute but Maven’s looping header from a free-kick hit the post. However, his teammate Jovial was quick to respond to the rebound but he shot wide.

FC Goa finally sealed the game in the second half injury time though Mevan to collect full points for his side.