MARGAO: Vasco Sports Club edged past Guardian Angel Sports Club 1-0 in the Taca Goa U-20 Football league match, at the artificial turf ground, outside Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here, on Friday. The all-important goal of the match came in the first session. 

In the first half, the teams played attacking football with man-to-man marking.

Vasco SC created the first opening in the fifth minute through London Singh, who sent in a through ball to John Fernandes but the latter’s was timely tackled by Guardian Angel SC’s Eliston Carvalho.

Two minutes later, Guardian Angel SC had a go when Austin Fernandes received the ball from Jaison Dias but the formers fierce shot was blocked by Caetano Gonsalves of Vasco SC.

The breakthrough for Vasco SC came through London Singh in the 25th minute with a powerful grounder which crushed into the nets of Guardian Angel SC.

Bishwajeet Rajput came up with the assist. 

Thereafter, Guardian Angel SC tried hard to make a comeback. They had an opportunity to equalize in the 43rd minute but Alvito Moura was left frustrated by a timely intervention by Vasco SC’s Joyward Dias.

Post resumption, the trend continued as Vasco SC tried to penetrate in the rival territory but were not successful.

They were unlucky as Alvito’s 47th minute effort on goal hit the cross piece and the ball fell back to play. 

However, off the rebound, Austin Fernandes ballooned wide over  the horizontal bar as Guardian Angel were left frustrated. 

At the other end, Vasco SC were combining well as a unit and showed urgency to score their second goal. 

In the 59th minute, John Fernandes’ shot sailed inches over the Guardian Angel SC crossbar off an assist by London.

Speaking to Herald after the match, Vasco SC coach, Eban Mesquita expressed happiness and said, “I am happy with the win but the boys should have scored more goals. However, we missed the three new key players we have recruited. Our defence has to improve along with the strikers.”

Coach of Guardian Angel SC, Riston Rodrigues felt that his boys played well and missed sitters as they did not get enough time to practice.