AGENCIES, ASSAM: Goa earned their qualification to the next stage of National Football Championship for Santosh Trophy following their 3-0 win over Tamil Nadu, in Assam.
Mohammed Faheez scored twice and Trijoy Dias got his third goal of the campaign as Goa topped the group to finish with 11 points, ahead of Nagaland who also finished on 11 points. However, a superior goal difference helped Goa to top the group.
Goa were given hopes of progressing after Arunachal Pradesh held Nagaland to a 1-1 draw in the earlier match of the day.
Knowing that, they would need a win by two goals to qualify; Goa started on attacking front and successfully managed to break the deadlock in the 11th minute when Shallum Pires intercepted a pass in the opposition half and swayed in an aerial diagonal pass to Trijoy Dias n the right. The striker brilliantly brought the ball down to his feet with a clean first touch, and smashed past the onrushing keeper, 1-0.
Goa had the best chance to double the lead in the 27th minute when Kirtikesh Gadekar set Trijoy on goal. The striker had Clencio Pinto as an option in the middle; however, he went for the goal from a tight angle, and saw his shot go wide. He should have done better with the opportunity he had.
In the 34th minute, Tamil Nadu came up with a counter attack and a header on target, but Goa keeper dealt with it safely.
Though Tamil Nadu had lost all their previous group matches, they didn’t seem an easy side. They made Goa struggle to break into the last line.
In the second half, Goa started with intent and were awarded a penalty when Clencio’s strike from inside the box was handled by a Tamil Nadu defender. Faheez stepped up and coolly converted from the spot in the 48th minute to make it 2-0.
Goa finally made the issues safe in the 68th minute when Faheez struck one again, this time guiding in a Trijoy Dias pass.
