Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Guardian Angel SC went down fighting to new entrants Clube de Salgaocar by 2-1 margin in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Tuesday.
For Clube de Salgaocar, Pratesh Shirodkar netted a brace, while Nitesh Hazra scored for Guardian Angel SC.
Guardian Angel SC did have better ball possession and attacks at the rival goal but twice new signing Ronald Singh was timely tackled by rival defenders.
In the very 5th minute, a costly error by Clube de Salgaocar’s defender Mevzen Oliveira saw Guardian Angel SC’s U-21 Rayan Menezes get hold of the ball just outside the 6-yard box but his weak strike was saved by Clube de Salgaocar’s custodian Sanij Bugde, bring a smart diving save.
Five minutes later, Clube de Salgaocar had a narrow escape with Referee Ritesh Parsekar overlooking a push by Clube de Salgaocar’s defender Reezvon Fernandes on Guardian Angel SC’s Ronald inside the 18-yard box, with Guardian Angel SC’s players appeal for a penalty was being turned down.
After much probing in the 13th minute, Clube de Salgaocar had their first good attempt at the rival goal where a fierce 25-yard strike by Shrine Clemente saw Guardian Angel SC’s goalkeeper Gurpreet Singh bring a full stretched diving save by pushing the ball for a corner.
In the 45th minute, Guardian Angel SC’s almost surged ahead when medio Moises sent an intelligent through pass to overlapping Ronald but before he later could aim at the goal Clube de Salgaocar’s defender Reezvon cleared the ball for a corner.
On crossing ends, in the 61st minute, a teasing cross by Fedrich Fernandes from the right flank saw substitute a second late to connect the ball into the goal.
Clube de Salgaocar netted two quick goals through there skipper Pratesh Shirodkar where striker Isac was brought down by Guardian Angel SC’s Clifton inside the penalty box prompting Referee Ritesh to point the dreaded spot after consulting his assistant. Pratesh Shirodkar stepped forward and scored, 1-0.
As the match progressed, in the 75th minute, a cross by Mevzen Oliveria was controlled and shot at the goal by Isac which came off the crossbar to Pratesh who stabbed the ball into the far corner of the goal, 2-0.
Never say die spirit saw Guardian Angel SC’s score from the penalty spot in the 90th minute, through Nitesh Hazra, after Clube de Salgaocar’s Tipanna Shantappa had handled the ball and on receiving the second caution was sent off by the referee, 2-1.