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RAIA: Cortalim Villagers SWSC secured a 3-1 win over Sesa Football Academy in the Goa Professional League Super League match played at the Nagoa panchayat ground, on Monday.
Sesa FA struck the first goal with the efforts of Omkar Shetgaonkar’s incisive run down the left, cutting it back for Clencio Pinto, who rifled a first-time finish into the bottom corner.
Cortalim Villagers SWSC got the equaliser when Prathmesh Gaonkar set up Norman Dias inside the box, and the forward kept his composure to slot home.
The second half saw Cortalim Villagers SWSC take control, with Gaonkar putting his side ahead in style.
Latching onto Pushkar Prabhu’s lofted pass, he outpaced the defence before executing a delicate chip over the onrushing goalkeeper. Ronil Vaz then put the result beyond doubt, capitalising on Norman’s cushioned header off a Sydney Lucas long ball to loft another clever chip past the goalkeeper, sealing a commanding win.
Cortalim Villagers SWSC enjoyed the lion’s share of possession in the first half, dictating play through midfield. However, Sesa FA nearly drew the first blood when Pinto’s defence-splitting pass sent Chaitan Dhabolkar through on goal.
The forward weaved into the box and attempted a curling strike to the far post, but his effort failed to find the target.
Minutes later, Sesa FA made their pressure count. Shetgaonkar burst into the box before laying it off for Pinto, who made no mistake with a clinical first-time finish to break the deadlock.
Cortalim Villagers SWSC responded with intensity and almost found the equaliser when Espirito threaded a precise ball to Prathmesh, putting him one-on-one with the Sesa FA goalkeeper. Rather than pulling the trigger, he opted to square it to Norman, but the pass was just out of reach.
They kept knocking at the door as Prabhu’s chipped delivery over the defence found Prathmesh, who saw his initial strike blocked by Myran. The rebound fell back to him, but Akash produced another crucial defensive intervention to keep Sesa FA’s lead intact.
Cortalim Villagers SWSC’s persistence eventually paid off when Norman levelled the score. Under pressure, Gaonkar laid it off to him, and he coolly fired a low shot into the bottom right corner to restore parity.
With momentum on their side, Cortalim Villagers SWSC’s came out firing after the break and wasted no time in grabbing the lead. Prabhu picked out Gaonkar with a perfectly weighted long ball, and the forward raced toward goal before lifting a deft chip over the advancing goalkeeper.
Gaonkar nearly doubled his tally when Ronil Azavedo whipped in a low cross from the left, but he couldn’t apply the finishing touch.
Cortalim Villagers SWSC’s continued to press and their dominance was rewarded once again. Lucas sent a long ball into the danger area, where Norman’s cushioned header found Vaz in space.
With the goalkeeper charging out, Vaz showed tremendous composure to dink the ball over him and into the net, putting the result beyond reach.
Sesa FA threw bodies forward in search of a late comeback, but Cortalim Villagers SWSC’s defence stood firm, securing an emphatic 3-1 win and a crucial three points.
