THURSDAY, MAY 09, 2024
Team Herald
PANJIM: Sporting Clube de Goa enjoyed a perfect start in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League following their 3-1 win over Panjim Footballers at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Saturday.
Clive Miranda (6'), Rohit Totad (20') and Akeraj Martins (48') scored for the Flaming Oranje while Irfan Yadwad (53') reduced the deficit for the Panjim side.
Sporting Clube de Goa took just six minutes to take the lead as it was Clive Miranda, scoring the first goal of the Selvel Goa Professional League season 2021-22 which came from a set-piece. Girish Naik’s corner was headed in the frame by Marcus Mascarenhas, which was blocked by Panjim Footballers keeper Preston Rego, however, Clive Miranda was quick to poke the ball behind the net off the rebound, 1-0.
Sporting’s Dattaraj Gaonkar tried his luck with a low grounder from outside the box, but his off-target shot was stopped by his teammate Rohit Totad and placed past Preston. Panjim players claimed for an offside, but the youngster was fairly on, beating his marker, 2-0.
Sporting Clube didn’t allow Panjim to settle after restart as they scored their third in the 48th minute. Rio Fernandes challenged a Panjim player and sent the ball to Akeraj Martins, who dribbled past three Panjim defenders and slotted home to make it 3-0.
In the 53rd minute, a defensive error from Girish Naik saw Irfan get the ball outside the box. The lanky striker fought his way into the box and slammed in the top right corner giving no chance for keeper Ozen Silva to make it 3-1.
