MAPUSA: FC Goa registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Youth Club of Manora in the Goa Professional League played at Duler stadium, here, on Monday.
It was Asst.Coach James D’Costa shouting instructions to his Manora squad in the absence of suspended coach Roque Carneiro. Three changes were brought in the starting XI while FC Goa in charge Deggie Cardozo also came with three changes.
In the first quarter o, Manora were a better lot and came close twice in opening their account.
A long ball from Arvind Silva to Jeh Williamson in the sixth minute saw the latter a bit late to connect with Gaurs keeper Antonio Da Silva leaving his line to collect the ball.
Minutes later, a curling free-kick from skipper Nicholas Fernandes saw the ball flash across the goal area with Jeh Williamson and Aniston Fernandes’ late to connect into the empty goal.
At the strike of half an hour, Gaurs had just one threatening look at the rival goal but Lalremruata HP’s strike was blocked by Manora defender.
In the absence of strikers Aaren Da Silva and Romeo Fernandes both nursing injuries, U-20 Joybert Almeida the lone striker upfront was not given much space by the Manora’s defense.
However, it was a sign of relief to Young Gaurs coach Deggie to see his team score in the 37th minute with FC Goa’s senior management including coach Juan Ferrando were watching from the stand. A shot from close by Delton Colaco was bravely blocked by keeper Luis Barreto and the ball rolled to U-20 Joybert Almeida who slammed the ball into the goal from a goal mouth melee to give his side the lead.
The Young Gaurs were a strong unit on crossing ends and came with repeated attacks on the rival citadel time and again.
However, it was the heroics of keeper Luis Barreto who parried a scorching left footer from Christy Davis in the very second minute.
In the 60th minute, Luis blocked Delton Colaco’s strike from outside the penalty box.
The Young Gaurs carried on their onslaught but keeper Luis came to his teams’ rescue with back to back saves. He brought up a full stretched diving save from Delton Colaco’s stiff grounder and the ball travelled to Joybert off the defender whose strike once again the keeper pushed for a corner.
A minute before the end of the regulation time, Young Gaurs Lalremruata HP netted the insurance goal by guiding the ball into the goal off substitute Flan Gomes low cross to make it 2-0.
