Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Cortalim Villagers Social Welfare Sports Club registered a well-deserved 4-1 victory over Goa Police Sports Club, in the Goa Professional League, at the Duler Stadium, on Friday.
For Cortalim Villagers, Shario Gomes (2), Jason Vaz, and S Navaneeth scored, while Rui Noronha netted the consolation goal for the Goa Police side.
Following this victory, Cortalim Villagers now have 15 points from 10 matches, while Goa Police remain on 19 points from 11 matches.
Cortalim Villagers took the lead in the 7th minute when U-21 player Shario Gomes collected a neat through pass from midfielder Ronil Azavedo. Gomes advanced a few steps before calmly placing the ball into the net to make it 1-0.
Despite missing six regular players and their coach, the Goa Police colts showed promise in patches. Rui Noronha and Mayuresh Naik managed strikes on target, but Cortalim’s goalkeeper, Abhijit Shubh, handled them with ease.
In the final quarter of the first half, Cortalim consistently threatened the Goa Police defence. Pushkar Prabhu’s strike was blocked by a defender, while Jason Vaz’s effort ricocheted off the crossbar. However, Shario Gomes scored his second goal in the 42nd minute, and skipper Jason Vaz added a third just before half-time, taking the score to 3-0.
After the break, Goa Police surprised their opponents when striker Kunal Salgaonkar set up Rui Noronha, who dribbled past a defender and slotted the ball home, narrowing the margin to 3-1.
Encouraged by the goal, Goa Police nearly doubled their tally, but Pajwal Ghadi’s powerful strike from the edge of the box hit the crossbar. Cortalim’s goalkeeper, Abhijit Shubh, made back-to-back saves to deny Kunal Salgaonkar’s attempts from inside the 18-yard box.
The match then largely shifted to a midfield battle, but in the 90th minute, substitute S. Navaneeth sealed the victory for Cortalim with a close-range finish, making it 4-1.
At Tilak Maidan, Vasco Sports Club were fortunate to lose by just a solitary goal against a rampaging FC Goa. The first half saw FC Goa adopt a cautious approach, while Vasco dominated proceedings on a pitch that left much to be desired.
It may have been a pep talk from head coach Manolo Marquez during the half-time interval, or perhaps a tactical adjustment, but FC Goa returned to the field with renewed vigour. Within two minutes of the restart, they found themselves 1-0 up. Defender Tomba surged forward to meet a brilliant chip from Likson, beating Vasco goalkeeper Jerico with a sublime curling shot.
Following the breakthrough, FC Goa repeatedly breached Vasco’s defence. However, a combination of poor finishing and the woodwork kept the scoreline unchanged. Vasco’s goalkeeper Jerico played a pivotal role, making several outstanding one-on-one saves to prevent further damage.
Vasco nearly equalised against the run of play when the tireless Sinshit delivered an inviting cross from the right flank. But FC Goa goalkeeper Bob was quick to react, diverting the ball away from the lurking Sapam, who was well-positioned to capitalise.
