PANJIM: Goa overpowered a spirited Maharashtra 4-0 to emerge champions of the West Zone in the Sub-Junior National Football championship, at Seoni, Madhya Pradesh, on Sunday.
Goa has been a dominating force in the West Zone having completed a clean sweep against three of their opponents without conceding a goal while pumping in 16 goals.
Maharashtra started off on a good note and controlled the early proceedings of the match as Goa goalkeeper Merrytone Fernandes had to make three crucial saves in the first 15 minutes.
As the match progressed, Goa grew in confidence and at the half hour mark, Shanon Viegas made a daunting run and set up Stewart D’Mello, whose powerful shot from just outside the box crashed into the oppositions goal with the goalkeeper having no chance. Goa were motivated with the opening goal and kept Maharashtra on their toes with some quick short passes and attacking style of play.
The half time score read 1-0 in favour of Goa with the teams displaying attacking football.
Goa came out all guns blazing in the second session and scored thrice.
Maharashtra had some lucky escapes when Goa striker Stewart D’Mello saw his rasping volley hit the horizontal bar in the 52nd minute.
Subsequently, in the very next minute, Stewart’s shot at goal hit the upright after Shanon did the spadework.
However, there was no denying their second goal which came in the 67th minute when Shanon sent in a delightful through ball to Kenneth Da Costa, who timed his run well and shot the ball past the Maharashtra goalkeeper.
Even with a two goal cushion, there was no stopping for Goa as they increased their tempo and took control of the proceedings.
In the 69th minute, Shanon put his skills to work, dribbling two rival defenders and came up with a perfect cross to Aman Bhore and the striker headed the ball into the far corner of the net to make it 3-0 for Goa.
With five minute to go for the final whistle, hardworking Shanon collected a loose ball and made a run into the rival citadel and finished it with a powerful grounder to round off the score 4-0.
