Goan FC inch closer to GPL title after edging out Salgaocar

MAPUSA: Goan Football Club held their nerves to overcome a strong fight back from Salgaocar Football club and register a 3-2 win in the Goa Professional League organised by GFA, at Duler stadium, here on Saturday.

With Saturday’s win, Goan Football Club secured the first spot with 51 points from 20 matches, while Salgaocar remain on third position with 45 points from 21 matches.

In keen tussle all the goals were scored in the second half with Young Gaurs taking three goals lead through Lalawmpuia and Liston Colaco (2) but Salgaocar rallied a strong fight back to find the net twice through Daniel Gomes and Devendra Murgaonkar.

Salgaocar had the first crack at their opponents’ goal in the seventh minute when Ribhav Sardessai floated a dangerous ball in the goal area but before Ronaldo could get his header it was collected by the alert keeper Shubhan Dhas.

The Young Gaurs responded back with a quick attack when Sarineo Fernandes darted down the left flank and delivered a cross which found Sweden Fernandes who could not keep his header goalwards.

In the 13th minute, Liston Colaco’s well struck shot was nearly entering the net but was stopped by Salgaocar defender and the ball rolled to Kingslee Fernandes whose shot was well blocked by keeper Nora Fernandes.

At the other end, Sanson Pereira’s free-kick was brilliantly pushed out for a corner by Young Guar’s keeper Shubham.

Crossing ends, Sweden Fernandes nearly broke the deadlock in the very first minute for Young Gaurs but his power-packed shot hit the inner goal post and came back into play.

Young Gaurs finally managed to find the net in the 55th minute as Lalawmpuia scored from a controversial off-side position after being released by Sarineo Fernandes with an intelligent pass. The player and club officials kept protesting but it was turned down by referee Jose Dias.

Salgaocar misery worsened when they conceded the second goal in the 65th minute when Liston Colaco after controlling a cross from Lalawmpuia danced past a host of defenders and beat the keeper with low grounder to make it 2-0.

Liston Colaco nearly made it 3-0 minutes later but his long-range shot was well tipped over for a corner by the agile Salgaocar keeper Nora.

Salgaocar keeper Nora could not do much this time when Liston Colaco got his brace and Young Gaurs third with an absolute cracker by curling the ball into the nets from a well worked short corner with Sarineo.

It looked Young Gaurs had sealed the full points with a three goal cushion but Salgaocar had other ideas as they got one back through Daniel Rebelo in the 77th minute who after hoodwinking two defenders beat Shubham Dhas with a deft placement to make it 3-1. 

Salgaocar kept applying pressure and managed to get another goal in the 91st minute through a header by Devendra Murgaoankar off a corner-kick taken by Sanson Pereira but Young Guars held their nerves in the final minutes of the added time to walk away with three precious points.

• By Team Herald [email protected] | 05 May, 2019, 05:51AM

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