Team Herald

MAPUSA: Liston Colaco netted a brace as Goan Football Club eased past Corps of Signals in the Goa Professional League match, organised by Goa Football Association (GFA), at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday. 

Signals manager Maj VS Kamble made two changes to his side which drew against Vasco SC in the last match as U-20 striker Cyril Dias and defender Kuldeep Kumar were back in the line-up for the Army men, while Goans who suffered a narrow defeat at the hands of Guardian Angel SC in the 5th round also made the same number of changes as star striker Liston Colaco and Aaren D’Silva found names in the Clifford Miranda’s starting XI. 

Goans started the match on a bright note and came close to scoring in the 5th minute of the match when Jonathan Cardozo made a superb cross to Aaren in the box but the striker headed the ball wide.

A minute later, Goan keeper Iprotip Das made an excellent save to deny Nakul Birha’s goal bound header off Cyril’s short cross from inside the box.

In the 11th minute, Liston put Goan FC ahead when his curling shot entered at the far post where the rival keeper Binu P helplessly looked at the ball going in. 

At the other end, Goan’s keeper Das once again came up with a superb save to keep his side safe as his diving efforts denied Kuldeep’s goal bound header off Pawan Thakur’s corner. 

Goans started the second half on an attacking note and came close to scoring in the very first minute when Yassir Mohammad shot on the goal from the top of the box but custodian Binu pushed it for a corner. 

A few minutes later, Liston as he frustrated the rivals with a great footwork where he easily cut past six opponents before drilling a powerful grounder from just inside the box but his shot rebounded off the far post. 

The Junior Gaurs finally doubled their tally in added time when Liston made a darting run from his own half and made no mistake from close to beat the keeper from inside the box to confirm full points for his side.