Vasco stand demoted to 1st Division
TEAM HERALD
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MARGAO: A 10-man Goa Velha Sports Club rode on a 11th minute goal from midfielder Saprem Diukar to edge past Wilred Leisure Sports Club 1-0 in a GFA Kingfisher Pro League football match at panchayat ground, Raia, Saturday.
Wilred Leisure have only themselves to blame for the defeat as they missed numerous chances. They failed to convert set-pieces as well as flag kicks.
The lone goal of the match came in the 11th minute when midfielder Saprem picked the ball from Zico Costa from the right and the former’s reverse kick hit the crossbar and the rebound hit the back of goalkeeper Oliver D’Sozua and rolled into the net.
Stunned by the early reverse, Wilred Leisure regrouped quickly with striker Sertorio Monteiro working in tandem with midfielder Johnny D’Cruz to put the rival citadel under tremendous pressure. However, Wilred Leisure forwards muffed sitters from ideal positions.
Wilred Leisure frittered away an easy chance in the injury time of the first half when Johnny D’Cruz found striker Milagres Fernandes inside the rival penalty box and the latter laid a through pass to striker Sertorio, who blasted wide from five yard zone with only rival goalkeeper Siddesh Morje at his mercy.
Crossing over, Wilred Leisure kept their opponents on the back-foot but failed to take full advantage of their dominance. They created at least five scoring opportunities but failed to convert even one.
At the other end, Goa Velha were a subdued lot and hardly threatened the rival goal as they were restricted within their own half. Wilred Leisure nearly found the equalizer but Bruno Fernandes’ well executed free-kick was blocked by Goa Velha goalkeeper Siddesh Morje.
In the 58th minute, Goa Velha nearly doubled the lead but striker Chatur Naik’s feeble try went straight into the safe hands of Wilred Leisure goalkeeper Oliver D’Souza after he was put on the platter by Saprem from the right.
Substitute Tony Dias nearly fetched the equalizer but he shot wide from hand-shaking distance after Bruno Fernandes floated in a free-kick in the 68th minute.
Earlier in the 62nd minute, Goa Velha suffered a blow when defender Melroy D’Silva was ejected by referee Sunil Nanodkar after picking up his second yellow. Despite being a man up, Wilred Leisure failed to utilize their numerical advantage.
At the fag end, Wilred Leisure had a golden chance to neutralize the lead but Joseph Dias’ left-footer missed the target by a few inches off a cross from Rollan Fernandes.
Meanwhile, some objects were flung by the crowd during the match which were removed by assistant referee Judas Luis.
Soon after the final whistle, the Goa Velha supporters, agitated by referee Sunil Nanodkar dubious decisions, waited outside the gate to encounter him. But better sense prevailed and Goa Velha general secretary and GFA executive member Welwyn Menezes escorted the referee and assistant referee to the dressing room.
Meanwhile, Vasco have finished at the bottom of the table and stand demoted to the 1st Division for the first time.
