MAPUSA: Goan Football Club maintained their strong hold on the number one spot with a clinical performance to dismantle Calangute Association 5-2 in the 8th round match of the Goa Professional League organised by GFA, played at Duler stadium, here on Saturday.
With Saturday’s Young Gaurs remain top of the league table with 20 points while Calangute Association fighting for relegation survival remain stranded on 4 points.
Surprisingly it was Calangute who were leading 2-1 through Akash Sanadi and an own goal by Meldon D’Silva with Imran Khan giving Goan FC an early lead but crossing over a brace by Kapil Hoble and one each by Aaren D’Silva and Meldon D`Silva settled the match in the Young Gaurs’ favour.
The Young Gaurs had the first sniff when in the seventh minute Liston Colaco getting better of two Calangute defenders who let go a cracking shot which struck the upright and came back into play and then minutes later Sarineo Fernades saw his effort from close range just miss the side post.
Imran Khan finally found the net for Goan FC in the 17th minute after providing finishing touches of a defence splitting pass by Kingslee Fernandes.
Calangute who were on the back foot for most of the first half found the equaliser in the added time through Akash Sanadi with a stiff grounder from a well constructed move between Mohammad Shahsad and Diptesh Naik.
Goan FC were stunned when Calangute made it 2-1 through an unlikely source when Mohammad dangerous looking ball across the face of the goal was turned into his own net by defender Meldon D’Silva.
Changing ends, Young Gaurs levelled within twenty two seconds when Kapil Hoble’s header hit the upright then the keeper to enter the goal from a cross by Liston Colaco down the left side to make it 2-2.
The Calangute keeper came to his side rescue bringing a double save first stopping Liston Colaco’s free-kick and the ball travelled to Meldon whose shot was stopped from close range for a corner.
In a swift counter attack, Calangute missed two glorious chances to take the lead as their players failed in finding the net (players jersey numbers not clear which was time and again brought to the Match Commissioners notice at every match).
The Gaurs made it 3-2 through Meldon D`Silva who guided the ball into the net with a header from a well measured cross by Princeton, 3-2.
With the third goal scored, Calangute lost their way and had no answer to the rampant Young Gaurs who scored two more goal through Kapil Hoble (77th min) and substitute Aaren D’Silva (85th min) to round up the score sheet to 5-2.
On Friday, 10-men Panjim Footballers held Bardez FC to a goalless draw.
