Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: FC Goa registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Pax of Nagoa Sports Club in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Thursday.
Both goals for the winners came in the second session of play through Malsawmtluanga (61st minute) and Lalthangliana (80th minute). Young Gaurs held the upper hand in the first session and pinned their opponents mostly inside their own territory.
Early in the match, Vellington Fernandes’ strike travelled just over the crossbar, while two minutes later Malsawmtluanga’s free-kick saw Vellington connect the ball at the goal, which was blocked by Pax of Nagoa Sports Club custodian Antonio Da Silva.
At the other end, Pax of Nagoa SC U-21 Climax Fernandes saw his goal bound lob rebound off the horizontal bar, with keeper beaten.
Young Gaurs carried on their onslaught, in the 11th minute, Lalthangliana set up Vellington who in turn passed the ball to Malsawmtluanga who to his team’s dismay shot out.
Malsawmtluanga was again unluckily as his thundering left footer from outside the penalty box zoomed over the crossbar.
In the 43rd minute, a fine header by Malsawmtluanga travelled just past the goal post off a pinpoint cross by Lemmet Tangvah.
On crossing ends, Malsawmtluanga finally scored in the 61st minute where he drove a scorching 25-yard left footer which crashed into the back of the nylons 1-0.
Young Gaurs should have doubled their lead but Vellington’s placement off Malsawmtluanga pass missed the target narrowly.
In the 64th minute, Pax of Nagoa received a jolt with the sending off Nickson Castanha by Referee Jan Rodrigues for second caution booking.
With a player down, Pax of Nagoa had a mountain to climb. Coach Mateus Costa brought three changes but Young Gaurs last line of defence failed to bulge under pressure.
Lemmet Tangvah left footer came off the Pax of Nagoa far post to Malsawmtluanga whose strike hit defender for a corner.
In the 80th minute, Young Gaurs doubled their lead when unmarked Lalthangliana was at the right place at the right time to connect U-21 Davis Fernandes cross into the goal 2-0.
A minute before the end of the regulation time, Pax of Nagoa should have pulled a goal but goalkeeper Lionel Rymmei brought a point blank save from substitute Benneston Barretto shot.