MAPUSA: Goa Police registered a solitary goal win over Albert Developers Sports Club in the GFA’s Division I League play-offs to be crowned champions and get promoted to GFA’s Goa Professional League, at Duler Stadium, here, on Thursday.
For Goa Police with six points, a draw was the requirement but for Albert Developers Sports Club with five points only a win could secure them a place in the coming Goa Professional League.
With just two minutes on the clock, Goa Police saw a teasing cross from Sunny Fernandes being cleared for a corner by Albert Developers Sports Club defender Bhavesh Shirvaikar with a header.
However, two minutes later, Goa Police’s Mayuresh Naik sent a through pass to overlapping Nakul Gawas, who stabbed the ball into the far corner of the goal 1-0.
It was Albert Developers Sports Club, who then dominated after conceding the goal.
Their striker Saish Kavlekar was a thorn for the rival defenders but Saish was twice thwarted by Goa Police custodian Saiesh Kunkolkar inside the penalty box.
In the closing stages of the first session, both custodians swayed the ball for a corner to deny Albert Developers Sports Club’s Vihar Kholkar and Goa Police Nakul Gawas from scoring.
On crossing ends, two more close attempts went in vain for Goa Police to further increase their lead. Nakul Gawas got hold of a pass from Atmaram Jadhav but saw his placement miss the target narrowly.
Minutes later, a deadly cross at the goal was brilliantly paired for a corner by rival Albert Developers Sports Club custodian. At the other end, Goa Police custodian fisted the ball to safety off Saidatt Hanjunkar’s cross at the goal.
Goa Police Head Coach Swanand Naik praised all his players for showing consistency throughout the tournament.
He said, “In the eight league matches played at South Zone, the team won six matches, drew one and lost one, while in the final play-offs, his team won all the three matches.”
Naik thanked the Director General of Police and Inspector-General of Police for their guidance and the support given by Superintendent of Police Sunita Sawant, Deputy Superintendent of Police Shivram Vaingankar and Police Inspector Raia Naik. The Goa Police team displayed a marvellous game of football.
Meanwhile, Young Boys of Tonca was relegated to the GFA’s Division I League after being thrashed by Sesa FA 8-0 in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, on Wednesday.