MAPUSA: Cortalim Villagers SWC registered a hard-fought 3-2 win over Pax of Nagoa SC in the inaugural match of Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy 2023-24 organised by Goa Football Association, at Duler Stadium, here, on Friday.
In Salcete derby, Cortalim Villagers held the upper hand, where early in the match Sidney Lucas strike was saved by Pax of Nagoa custodian Ozen Silva, minutes later Michael Dias was about to aim at the goal when Pax of Nagoa defender timely cleared the ball for a corner.
Cortalim Villagers continued exerting pressure and in a fraction of two minutes scored twice in the 14th and 15th minute.
Striker Vikram Venkatchalam brilliantly controlled the pass from his captain Clive Miranda and slotted the ball into the goal with a right footer 1-0.
Hardly had the cheers died down medio Denil Rebello darted inside the penalty box and drilled a stiff grounder past the Pax custodian at the first post 2-0.
Pax of Nagoa came close in reducing the margin in the 25th minute but Delton Colaco goal bound strike zoomed just over the crossbar.
But in the 33rd minute this time medio Wendell Coelho scored a gem of a goal where his scorching right footer saw Cortalim Villagers custodian rooted to the ground 2-1.
Pepped up by the goal, Pax of Nagoa colts came close twice in levelling terms, but Cortalim Villagers’ custodian Francis Vincent blocked Ronaldo Oliveira’s hot-blooded shot, while defender Clive Miranda timely headed Delton Colaco cross for a corner before Jesloy Moniz could head the ball into the nets.
However, in the added time Nickson Castanha sent their large supporters into ruptures when he curled his free-kick into the far corner of Cortalim Villagers goal 2-2.
On crossing ends, Pax of Nagoa saw Jesloy Moniz and Delton Colaco efforts miss the target narrowly.
While Pax of Nagoa failed to score Cortalim Villagers’ Denil Rebello scored from a goal mouth melee 3-2.
Minutes later, Vikram Venkatchalam saw his left-footer being brilliantly blocked by Pax of Nagoa custodian Ozen Silva.
Pax of Nagoa were awarded a penalty in the 64th minute after Cortalim Villagers’ custodian Francis Vincent brought down Muhammad inside the 18-yard box. Schubert Pereira saw his spot-kick rebound into play after hitting the top crossbar.
As the match progressed, Cortalim Villagers’ Saeesh Halarnkar placement was brilliantly saved by Pax of Nagoa’s custodian, while at the other end, Cortalim Villagers goalkeeper flung to pair Pax of Nagoa’s Wendell Coelho strike for a corner.
Pax of Nagoa were reduced to 10-man with the sending off Sarineo Fernandes for rough play in the 74th minute.
Cortalim Villagers’ substitute Velroy Carvalho shot skywards from close a minute before the end of regulation time.
