Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM/MAPUSA: Goa went down fighting to Assam by 3-2 margin in the opening Group A match of the 38th National Football Championship played at Indira Gandhi International Sports Complex, Haldwani, on Thursday.
The teams were locked in a 2-2 draw at the breather. Goa started earnestly and were leading by two goals scored by Clencio Pinto.
However, Goa suffered a setback as Clencio suffered head injury and had to be taken to the hospital.
Assam came back strongly and not only equalised but scored the winning goal through Dey in the second half, 3-2.
In the next match, Uttrakhand and Mizoram were locked in a 1-1 draw.
Head coach Charles Dias said, “The team paid the price for poor defending. The team will have to focus and get its act together for the match against Mizoram to be played on Friday.”
He also said that the defense looked very tired in the last 10 minutes. The loss of Clecio was big for the team but there were other players who could take his place.
He said, “Clecio had been advised complete rest and would not say anything about him being part of the next game, saying the next 24 hours would be important.”