Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: New entrants Clube de Salgaocar halted Sporting Clube de Goa’s winning run with a narrow 2-1 victory, in the Goa Professional Super League, at Duler Stadium, on Tuesday.
Following the win, Clube de Salgaocar now have 37 points from 17 matches, while Sporting Clube de Goa continue to top the league table with 38 points from 16 matches.
Salgaocar struck in each half, with goals from Boinao Singh (5th minute) and Denil Rebello (53rd minute), while Sporting Colts’ lone goal came through Francisco Fernandes (14th minute).
Both teams started earnestly, but it was Salgaocar who stunned the table-toppers early on. In the fifth minute, Sporting goalkeeper Siddharth Rana pulled off back-to-back brilliant saves from Saeesh Halarnkar, but the ball fell kindly to Boinao Singh, who fired into the far corner to make it 1–0.
Just three minutes later, Sporting’s Lalremruata HP unleashed a powerful right-footer from outside the box, which deflected off a rival defender but was comfortably collected by Salgaocar custodian Sanij Bugde.
In the 14th minute, Sporting’s U21 player Francisco Fernandes struck from just outside the penalty area. The effort took a wicked deflection off a defender and crept in after ricocheting off the inside of the post: 1–1.
In the 25th minute, Boinao Singh once again caused problems, getting past his marker Deeshank Kunkalikar, entering the penalty area, and drilling a low shot, which was parried away at the near post by the Sporting goalkeeper.
In stoppage time of the first half, Joel Colaco attempted a 25-yard rasping effort, which was gathered safely by Bugde.
Just three minutes into the second half, Boinao Singh again beat his marker and entered the 18-yard box, attempting a placed finish, but his effort was blocked by the alert Sporting custodian.
In the 51st minute, Sporting defender Joel Colaco was penalised for a tackle on Isac Zomuanpuia inside the box, prompting referee Jan Rodrigues to award a penalty.
Salgaocar skipper Denil Rebello stepped up and calmly slotted home to restore his side’s lead: 2–1.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Salgaocar head coach Keenan Almeida said:
“In spite of our skipper Pratesh Shirodkar and three other players being sidelined due to injuries, today’s win was special as all the players played their hearts out to give victory to their team. This result keeps us in the contest for the GPL title,” concluded Almeida.