PANJIM: Salgaocar Football Club registered a solitary goal win over Calangute Association in the Goa Football Association Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Wednesday.
The Greens’ Daryl Costa scored the lone goal of the game in the 33rd minute to hand his side the first three points of the season.
Salgaocar FC were in total control of the game and had a couple of attacks early in the game.
Malappa Bizzardi had his free-kick narrowly missed and then Stephen Alvares also had a shot attempted from inside the box, however the latter’s left footed shot went past the side post.
With Calangute Association defence playing more of the high line, Salgaocar FC played long balls in the area. After trying similar tactics, where Daryl was denied once by the Calangute keeper Presly Mascarenhas; they finally managed to break the deadlock at the half hour mark. Daryl Costa was played with a long ball from the midfield and the striker lobbed the ball over the onrushing keeper from outside the box. The keeper and Calangute defence should have done better considering the style of play indulged by The Greens. Umesh Pujar, the defender of Calangute, was outstanding in the first half.
In the 37th minute Daryl was handed a similar opportunity, however, this time Umesh did well to clear the ball for a corner which came to nothing.
Just before the break, Daryl was brought down outside the box and from the resultant free-kick Siddhart hit straight to the keeper.
In the second half, Salgaocar FC continued with their similar play wherein Calangute’s high defence line made it easier for them.
But then Calangute enjoyed a better position throughout the second half. Though they dominated the play, they couldn’t really create any threatening moves.
Daryl had a chance to inflate the lead in the dying minutes of the game. However, the Calangute keeper, Presly this time around, showed his composure and saved the shot from inside the box.
