LUDHIANA/ PANJIM: Goa downed Meghalaya 2-1 in the final Group A match of the Final Round of National Football Championship for Hero Santosh Trophy 2018-19 played at Ludhiana, on Tuesday.
Chaitan Komarpant and Victorino Fernandes scored for Goa.Goa finished second and now await the results of Group B as they could face either Punjab, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Assam in the semi-finals on April 19 as all the four teams are vying their place to seal the top two spots in the group B.
“I had rested some of the first team players and the new players played well and the result is the proof of the same. We are ready to face anyone in the final. The boys are confident in facing anyone and I believe they will give their best,” said Goa coach Samir Naik.
Goa coach rested Joaquim Abranches, Peter Carvalho, Clemente Joseph, Serenio Fernandes, keeper Tyson Caido and striker Lalwanpuia.
Goa conceded first from the spot kick, however, the lads didn’t wait long to make it all square as they equalised with a brilliant team goal with Victorino Fernandes started the move from the half. The Sporting Clube de Goa striker played the Kirtikesh Gadekar who played the ball to Chaitan and the lad scored with a 25-yard stunner which had no answer from the rival keeper. The teams were tied 1-1 at the break.
Crossing over, Goa took the lead when Jaison Vaz played through to Victorino, who scored with a clean shot, the striker showing great composure infront of the goal.
