MAPUSA: Cortalim Villagers SWSC had an easy outing as they trounced Mumbai City FC by 4-1 margin in the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Sunday.
Cortalim Villagers having won against Goa Professional League champs Sporting Clube de Goa, came strongly in Sunday’s match and having beaten Mumbai City FC development squad, now have six points and thus brightened their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. Mumbai City FC lost all of their three league matches.
Cortalim Villagers colts with better ball possession and attacks at the rival goal drew their first blood in the 12th minute of play. Prathmesh Gaonkar entered the 18-yard box from the left flank and as he was about to pull the trigger Mumbai City’s stopper back Sayyam Desai brought the later down where referee Milagres Noronha without any hesitation pointed to the dreaded spot. Denil Rebello scored 1-0.
Cortalim Villagers continued on their onslaught but Mumbai City’s custodian Harsh Kadam brought a brave one to one save to deny Velroy Cardozo from scoring.
In the 39th minute, Cortalim Villagers colts doubled their lead where a 25-yard strike by Preston Fernandes deceived the goalkeeper and the ball rolled into the goal 2-0.
As the match progressed, Harsh brought two outstanding saves to block Saeesh Halarnkar and Denil strikes from close.
In the added time, Velroy Cardozo collecting a pass from Vikram Venkatchalam, placed the ball at the goal, which hit the far goal post and entered the goal 3-0.
On crossing ends, Mumbai City coach Mohan Dass brought in three substitutes from the bench and there was tremendous transformation in the attack where right winger Omkar Talwar sent couple of perfect crosses where Kunal Raghav strike was brilliantly blocked for a corner by Cortalim Villagers’ goalkeeper Savio Pereira.
However, in the 64th minute, this time Eashan Sartape smartly connected Omkar’s cross to reduce the margin 3-1.
Cortalim Villagers finally woke up from their slumber to find Vikram Venkatchalam collect a through pass from Denil and place the ball into the goal 4-1.
Cortalim Villagers Denil received the man-of-the-match award from Constancio Paul Rodrigues, Goa Football Association’s Executive Committee member.
In the next match, Sesa Football Academy registered a solitary goal win over Sporting Clube de Goa.
Sporting Clube having lost to Cortalim Villagers in their last league match played the game of their life, as only a win could keep them in contest.
Early in the match both teams had an attempt at each other’s goal.
A stiff grounder by Sesa FA’s Sankalp Kankonkar was blocked by Sporting Clube’s custodian Abhimanyu Singh at first post, while at the other end Sporting Clube’s Biswa Darjee 25-yard free-kick was paired to safety by Sesa FA’s custodian Roanal Gaunkar.
After 30 minutes of midfield tussle, Sesa FA’s Omkar Shetgaonkar managed to hoodwink his marker and entering the 18-yard box latched a power-packed left footer which kissed the horizontal bar and went out.
On crossing ends, in the 51st minute Sporting Clube’s Alister Anthony drilled a stiff grounder which was brilliantly saved by Sesa FA’s keeper Roanal.
After much probing Sesa FA’s Clencio Pinto who had come from the bench saw Sporting Clube keeper out of position intelligently drove a long ranger which dipped into the far corner of the goal, 1-0.
Flaming Oranje had two glorious chances to level terms in the 86th minute where a fierce strike by Llyod Cardozo was blocked by keeper Roanal and the ball travelled to Alister Anthony, who fumbled to connect home, while in the added time substitute Adil Khan powerful header kissed the crossbar. Sesa FA’s Clencio Pinto received the man-of-the-match award from Patwin Fizardo, Goa Football Association’s Executive Committee member.
