TEAM HERALD
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MAPUSA: A fine brace from Paresh Morje allowed Goa Police Sports Club to come from behind and defeat Salcete Football Club 2-1 in GFA’s First Division at Sangolda ground, Monday. All goals came before the breather.
Slegan Gracias, Joel Camara and Treyson D’Costa were the Salcete players cautioned, while captain Punaji Kalangutkar was the lone Goa Police booking.
In the 26th minute, Salcete’s Seriton Fernandes swept a lethal cross from the left side which eluded everyone in the 6-yard box, but fell for right winger Neves Noronha who neatly controlled it, before plunging it into the back of the net with a fierce right foot.
Just six minutes later, Salcete’s Oilex Oliveira saw his shot come flying back off the post and hooked away to safety by the Goa Police defence.
In the 36th minute, Goa Police’s Paresh spectacularly volleyed the ball into the bottom corner of the goal from the edge of the box, which left his opponents stunned.
Salcete made a change moments later, by taking off goal scorer Neves and bringing on Rony Monteiro. The last named moved to the left flank and Seriton moved over to the right.
A minute before the interval, left back Amir Salgaonkar sprinted down the left flank and pushed the ball back for Paresh to control and bury into the corner for Goa Police’s second.
Changing over, Salcete looked for the early goal and found the target in the second minute when the ball was laid off for Don Fernandes and his power-packed shot was parried for a corner by the Goa Police custodian.
Salcete made further substitutions, bringing in Joel Camara and Treyson D’Costa in place of Manesh Oliveria and striker Slegan Gracias as they looked to infuse more ammunition into the attack.
In contrast, Goa Police were happy to put players behind the ball and keep their opponents at bay. The closest they came to the Salcete goal was when Allwyn Fernandes tried his luck 35 yards from goal which was easily gathered.
In the closing stages, Goa Police kept Paresh as a lone striker and withdrew striker Rohidas Mhaloji and Susdesh Kerkar in place of fresh legs in the shape of Kishor Palkar and Rupesh Morje.
Deep into injury time, Salcete tried desperately for the equaliser. Seriton’s header from captain Francis Andrade’s cross was easily dealt with, while Rony shot wide as Goa Police held on for victory.
