TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Second half goals from Gammy Costa and Valent Silva gave 10- man Margao Sports Club an impressive 2-0 win over Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in GFA’s Kingfisher Relegation Zone Pro League at Duler stadium, Mapusa, Thursday. The match was goalless at the break.
Margao’s Clemente Joseph was shown his second yellow card and was promptly sent off in the 50th minute, but this only spurred his team on to score two goals in quick succession.
Fans came all the way from Salcete to watch their teams take part in one of the fiercest contest in recent times. Over the past few seasons these teams have battled against each other for promotion, but on this occasion it was relegation they were trying to avoid.
Margao seemed to step up a gear after they lost defender Clemente early in the second half. They took the logical step of withdrawing one centre forward, into midfield and one midfielder into defence, but managed to attack with extra intensity shifting their attacks to the wings.
Cavelossim played their last match of the campaign and were missing key players through suspension. Sherwin Lobo was absent in midfield and to make matters worse their leading scorer this season, Nigerian striker Emmanual Okoro was also out. Although having the advantage of an extra player for most of the second half, they found it difficult to break down a stubborn Margao defence.
In the first half both teams had very little to smile about as neither could find the target. Margao came close when Valzinho Fernandes crossed, but Gammy Costa’s glancing header went wide of the goal.
Margao’s Clemente was sent off for a reckless tackle in the 50th minute.
In the 53rd minute Margao’s Aslon Oliveira broke swiftly down the right flank and sent a dangerous looking ball across the face of the Cavelossim goalmouth. Gammy Costa outstretched his boot at the back post to score and send his teammates into excitement.
After 15 minutes Cavelossim brought in Ryan Fernandes in place of striker Jolex Fernandes. Ryan moved into midfield while Nigerian Monday Ugboji moved further forward.
The second Margao goal in the 63rd minute was a stroke of absolute genius. Benzu Clemente played a short free kick down the left flank, which Perryson Rebello cut neatly across the Cavelossim goal and Valent Silva slid in to complete a well planned set piece.
In the closing stages Cavelossim brought in Allwyn Fernandes as a third striker at the expense of a defender as Cavelossim tried to get back into the game, but the closest they came to scoring was a shot from Monday which flew over the bar.
Sesa lead the relegation table with 14 points, Margao, Cavelossim and Goa Velha are all on 13 points each and Calangute are on 11 points. In the final round, Calangute will meet Sesa, while Margao will lock horns with Goa Velha.
