MAPUSA: Goan Football Club eased past Vasco Sports Club by a 3-1 margin in the Goa Professional League match, organised by Goa Football Association, played at Duler Stadium, here on Friday.
With this win, the young Gaurs are now in 3rd position with 25 points from 15 matches, while Vasco remained at 8th place with 17 points from 16 matches.
Vasco coach Eban Mesquita made only one change to their side which held Panjim Footballers in the previous round match as suspended Schubert Pereira made way for Leny Fernandes in the line-up, while Yasir Mohammad and Lalawmpuia made their return to the starting XI for the Goan side which defeated Corps of Signals in the last match.
Vasco wasted an easy chance to surge ahead in the 6th minute when Anil Goancar found Franky Oliveira in the box with a smart through pass but the forward failed to connect from close with just keeper to beat.
Vasco had a chance in the 23rd minute when Stephen Colaco made a drifting run from the halfway line, taking Goan defender Lalnunsiama with him and shot on the goal from just inside the box but Goan keeper Mohammad Nawaz made a diving save to clear the danger.
Goan punished Vasco for not capitalizing on their chances as they took the lead in the 28th minute when Yasir’s curling shot from the top of the box finished in the net making it 1-0 for his side.
Vasco had an opportunity to equalise in the very next minute when Flan was left with just keeper to beat but Leander D’Cunha came up with a brave clearance to push the ball for a corner.
At the other end, Goan doubled their account in the 42nd minute when Yasir smartly dribbled past three defenders and finished the ball into the back of the nylons from the top of the box to complete his brace.
However, in the 70th minute, the Vasco defenders and keeper Suresh had no answer when Kingslee Fernandes made a brilliant footwork to dribble past few defenders and keeper Suresh and placed the ball home to make it 3-0 for his side.
Vasco down with three goals, came out all attacking in the dying minutes of the match and almost scored in the 79th minute when Anil made a superb cross to Franky but the front man saw his header halted by keeper Nawaz.
However, in the 81st minute, Franky made no mistake to tap the ball home from close off Anil’s brilliant low cross from the right to reduce the margin for the Port Towners.
