MAPUSA: Calangute Association scored a hard-fought 1-0 win over Churchill Brothers FC in the Goa Professional League match, organised by Goa Football Association (GFA), played at Duler Stadium, here on Wednesday.
Calangute had earlier won their most of the pre-season friendlies against other Goa Pro League sides, their recent win was against Panjim Footballers earlier this month. Whereas, Churchill had drawn 1-1 with Corps of Signals in their last pre-season friendly match.
The all-important goal of the match was scored by Mayur Shelar.
It was the match of two different halves as Churchill Brothers who dominated in the first session, were completely were seen completely helpless in the second session.
Churchill’s Sevlon Cardozo came up with back-to-back brilliant crosses in the first ten minutes but first Calangute keeper Jason D’Mello collected it on time, while a minute later Mayur cleared the danger before Mannas Sarkar could reach to it.
In the 23rd minute, Churchill Bros had the best chance to take the lead when Alber Gonsalves easily cut past few defenders and sent a blistering shot on the goal but Calangute keeper Jason dived to his left and saved his side from any danger.
The rest of session witnessed a possession play from the Red Machines but despite dominating play in the entire session they failed to convert the chances as both the teams entered the dressing room with the goalless score sheet.
Calangute Coach Alex Alvares brought in Myron Fernandes replacing Omkar Satelkar at the halftime and that made the change in the Calangute’s tactics as they created potent attacks after the resumption of play.
In one of these, Domnic Fernandes almost opened the tally for Calangute when he tried his luck from the distance but Churchill keeper Ricardo Cardozo denied him with diving efforts.
Five minutes later, Calangute came up with another attack on the opponent as Bersal Viegas’ low cross found Omkar More in the box, but the striker’s header missed the target by few inches.
In another event, Myron dribbled past a defender and tried to find More in the box but Churchill’s experience defender cleared it before the striker could do any damage.
Finally, at the hour mark, Calangute hard work paid off as Mayur brilliantly connected Joston Pereira’s corner, making it 1-0 for the beachside club.
Ten minutes later, Calangute had a golden opportunity to double their lead as Churchill’s defenders failed to clear Joston’s low cross and the ball travelled to well-positioned Myron in the box but the striker failed to control his shot from 10-yards.
In the added time, Churchill’s Kartik G. header off flick pass from his teammate finished into the empty goal but the midfielder failed to beat the offside trap as the same was disallowed by linesman Raja Pir.
