MAPUSA: Panjim Footballers put up a stiff performance but went down 1-0 to title contenders FC Goa in their GFA Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Friday.
Saviour Gama was the lone scorer of the match. The Young Gaurs are on top of the league table with 29 points from 11 matches while Panjim Footballers are at the 11th spot with just four points from 10 outings.
In the 10th minute of play, Brian curled in his cross towards Saviour who surprisingly nodded the ball timely into the waiting hands of the Panjim Footballers keeper Massom Ali.
FC Goa suffered a setback in the 31st minute of play when referee Sunil Nanodkar gave marching orders to midfielder Nestor for an unwarranted challenge on Panjim Footballers Prasil Kankonkar.
Despite being a man down, the Young Gaurs were relentless in their attack where in the 37th minute Aaren on getting hold of the ball from Princeton Rebello unleashed a powerful right footer which was kept away by the alert Panjim Footballers keeper.
After several missed chances, FC Goa finally shot into the lead in the 40th minute of play when Saviour beat his marker to nod in Aaren’s cross into the far corner of the Panjim Footballers goal, 1-0.
Changing ends, the Young Gaurs kept up with the attacking pace, piling on raid on raid of their rivals.
Aaren, who was instrumental in the first goal almost got his name to the scorers list, however, he faltered in scoring from handshaking distance.
Panjim Footballers keeper did a brilliant job under the horizontal bar as he came with two quick saves to deny Meldon D’Silva from scoring.
In the 69th minute of play, Liston sent a pinpoint cross to Sarineo right inside the six-yard box only to see the latter balloon the ball wide.
Towards the fag end of the match, Panjim Footballers did try to make a comeback, however, the precious goal eluded them till the final whistle.
