TEAM HERALD
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MAPUSA: A 94th minute volley from captain Milagres Fernandes snatched all three points as Curtorim Gymkhana overcame Goa Police Sports Club 1-0 in GFA’s First Division at Sangolda ground, Friday.
Daison Cardoso was cautioned for Curtorim, while Sudhesh Naik was the only booking for Goa Police in what was a pretty free flowing, clean game from both sides.
Curtorim looked threatening throughout but could not find the back of the net. In the 77th minute they made their only substitution of the game, bringing on Velington Rocha on the left wing and this proved decisive as it was his cross which supplied the winner for Milagres, who thoroughly deserved a goal for his exploits in front of goal.
Goa Police were very unlucky to concede so late in the game as they had played well, by passing the ball around neatly, but they preferred to sit back and soak up the pressure, rather than taking any real risk to open up their opponents.
In the opening exchanges, Goa Police could easily have been ahead, when captain Punaji Kalangutkar crossed the ball for Paresh Morje who is usually lethal in front of goal, but on this occasion his first touch let him done.
Curtorim managed to create an attempt at the Police goal, but Alson Oliveira shot wide from a Godfrey Rodrigues pass.
Coming to the end of the first half, both sets of fans grew frustrated without seeing a goal and some had wandered off early to grab chourico pao.
When the supporters were seated for the second half, they would have easily been excited as Curtorim had the ball in the back of the net with 44 seconds and all were convinced except the referee’s assistant who had waved his flag after spotting Alleluia Fernandes in an off-side position after heading in Brent Fernandes’ free kick.
Midway through the second session, Gammy Costa cleared the ball off his goalline from a Police corner after his own player had headed it goalbound.
At the other end, Gammy wasted two great opportunities to score for Curtorim. The first was saved by the Police goalkeeper after Gammy took far too long in getting his shot and the second was headed just wide from close distance after Milagres crossed early.
Deep into injury time, Velington raced down the left flank and sent the ball into the danger area, where Milagres flung his right forward to perfectly connect with the ball in mid- air and sent it crashing into the back of the net.
After Round 5, Sao Minguel lead the group with 12 points from four matches, followed by Curtorim Gymkhana who have 10 points from four matches, Wilred Leisure have 7 points from four games, Salcete have 5 points from four games, Corps of Signals have collected 6 points from five outings, Goa Police have 3 points from four matches, while Raia Sporting are yet to open their account after five games.
