TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: St Cruz Club of Cavelossim came back strongly in the second session to ground bottom placed Margao Sports Club 2-0 in a round five match of Airtel Goa Pro League football at Duler Stadium, here, Tuesday. There was no score at half time.
Cavelossim are in the fourth place with eight points while Margao suffered their fifth consecutive defeat.
The teams had equal share of chances in the first session but it was Cavelossim who dominated the second half and broke the deadlock in the 55th minute through Mario Mascarenhas’ close range header and then doubled their advantage in the 85th minute through substitute Richard Colaco.
Margao had the first chance to surge ahead in the 12th minute when Wilfred Gomes sent a low cross to Monty Valadares, who however, failed to control the ball inside the danger zone.
At the other end, Cavelossim sprung into action in the next minute as Marcus Fernandes made a dangerous run in the rival citadel and set up striker Agnelo D’Souza, who had a good look at goal but his effort was blocked by Margao defender Benny Oliveira for an abortive flag-kick.
Margao were enjoying the lion’s share of ball possession and in the 19th minute, Frehauf Fernandes’ long cross was headed by Wilfred towards Monty but the striker ballooned over with only Cavelossim goalkeeper Jaison D’Mello at his mercy.
Three minutes later, Margao squandered another golden opportunity as Frehauf shot wide from an ideal position of a dangerous free-kick from the left flank by Rauf Khan.
At the half hour mark, goalkeeper Jaison’s kick found striker Agnelo inside the 18-yard box but the latter shot over.
Cavelossim’s attacks were foiled by the strong rival defenders and they tried to change their tactics with a dual substitution. Agnelo made way for Sunny Fernandes while Richard Colaco came in place of Rajat Naik.
Cavelossim medio Inacio Colaco sent a long ball to Sunny, who skilfully got past Margao custodian Gurdev Singh but his shot hit the side-netting.
Then, just before the lemon break, goalkeeper Gurdev came up with a diving save to deny Inacio’s rasping long ranger.
After a slow start in the second half, Cavelossim broke the deadlock in the 55th minute through Mario Mascarenhas. Inacio’s well-measured cross from the right-flank sailed over the rival defenders and found Mario, who headed in past the rival custodian from close range.
Spurred by the success, Cavelossim continued confidently and passed the ball with ease. They could have scored their second goal in the 63rd minute when Prestly Colcao cleverly set up Sunny in a one-to-one situation but his effort was blocked by goalkeeper Gurdev.
In the 85th minute, Richard made it 2-0 from a goal mouth melee.
