Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: FC Goa came strongly into match to fire 3-0 on Goa Police SC in the Goa Professional Super League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Sunday.
FC Goa went into the breather from Goa Police Deepak Naik scoring a self goal. After win FC Goa now have 24 points, while Goa Police stay on 19 points.
Goa Police under the guidance of their new coach Swananand Naik managed to hold FC Goa to just one goal in the first session of play when in the 47th minute of play Goa Police medio Deepak in the process of clearing the ball from inside the 18-yard box saw him toe the ball into his own goal, 1-0.
On crossing ends, Young Gaurs medio Lalthangliana who worked tirelessly saw his team pumped in two more goals from his assist.
In the 69th minute, he did the spadework to find his partner Malsawmtluanga send the ball past Goa Police custodian, 2-0.
Once again, Lalthangliana was the provider to find defender U-21 Asher Rodrigues finish clinically 3-0.
Dempo SC secure a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Geno FC
In another match, Dempo SC secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Geno FC at Ella ground, Old Goa, on Sunday.
Dempo SC came out firing and nearly found an early breakthrough when Mohammed Rafi fouled Salgeo Dias in midfield, conceding a free-kick. Jordan Borges delivered a pinpoint ball into the box, where Pratik Naik rose above the Geno defense to connect with a powerful header, only to be denied by the woodwork.
The Golden Eagles continued to press and came close again when Jordan Borges played a short corner to Asmon Viegas, who whipped in a first-time cross. Stenis met it with a well-directed header, but Geno FC goalkeeper Savio pulled off a stunning save to keep his side in the contest.
Geno FC struggled to break through Dempo SC’s disciplined backline, with Sairon Albuquerque standing tall to cut out dangerous through balls and nullify their attacking threats.
The breakthrough finally arrived early in the second half. Asmon Viegas split the Geno defence with a perfectly weighted pass to Salgeo Dias, who controlled it brilliantly, weaved past his marker, and slotted a low shot past the keeper to put Dempo SC in front.
Geno FC responded with urgency and thought they had equalised when Sheldon Pereira bundled the ball into the net after a scramble with goalkeeper Myrick Hilario, but the referee ruled it out for a foul.
Jachi nearly rescued a point for Geno FC late in the game with a low drive inside the box, but Hilario produced a sharp save. Suraj Gurung pounced on the rebound and fired from close range, only for Hilario to come up clutch once again, diving to smother the ball and secure Dempo SC’s narrow win.