TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Goa got off to a perfect start in their Santosh Trophy campaign as they demolished Daman and Diu 5-0 in the West zone (Group B) qualifying match at Duler Stadium, here, Thursday. Goa led 1-0 at half time.
Goa were clearly the favorites and dominated the entire 90 minutes. They took the lead in the 37th minute through Joel Sequeira but otherwise their finishing was a concern in the first session. Sachin Gawas scored soon after resumption while substitute Alvito Miranda converted a 67th minute penalty and then registered his brace in the 79th minute. Nicholas Fernandes scored in the final minute.
In the early stages, Goa’s Agnelo Colaco sent a perfect cross from the right to unmarked Lavino Fernandes but the latter headed wide with only rival keeper Prasad Bhosale at his mercy.
Daman and Diu were a subdued lot which struggled to maintain ball possession even for short spells but in the 28th minute they could have left the hosts stunned. Ashish Pal found Rohit Kshirsagar, who shot goalwards from outside the box but the ball deflected off Goa’s Nevil Miranda and hit the upright.
Goa regrouped and broke the deadlock, nine minutes later when Joel powerfully headed in a flag-kick from Agnelo.
Changing over, it took just five minutes for Goa to double their lead as Sachin Gawas didn’t waste time and gave a neat finishing touch to Lavino’s cross.
Subsequently, Goa skipper Steven Fernandes’ close ranger was blocked by rival defender Prashant Tandel.
In the 67th minute, Daman and Diu’s substitute keeper who had just come in brought down Lavino inside the box, prompting referee K Radhakrishnan to award a penalty in Goa’s favour. Substitute Alvito converted from the spot-kick with ease, 3-0.
In the 79th minute, Goa and Alvito had another as the striker calmly tapped in a low cross from substitute Perryson Rebello. With a minute to go for the final whistle another substitute Nicholas scored to make it 5-0.
Meanwhile Gajanan Kerkar has been appointed as manager of the Goa Santosh Trophy team for the west zone round, replacing Welvin Menezes. Kerkar is also coordinator of the group B games at Duler Sadium while Lawrence Gomes is coordinator at Tilak Maidan Vasco.
