Mapusa: Jovito Fernandes 46th minute strike enabled Calangute Association to defeat Panjim Footballers by a 1-0 margin in the Goa Professional League organised by GFA at Duler stadium here on Wednesday.
Calangute Association management’s decision in signing Anthony D’Souza as Head coach and six new players in their starting XI, paid rich dividends as they started their campaign with a win.
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Having a strong unit, Calangute brought tremendous pressure on the rival side and in the early stages of the match came close to opening their account.
George D’Souza’s free kick saw Pedro Gonsalves header miss the target narrowly while Dalwin Coelho’s cross was blocked in time for a corner by Panjim’s skipper Akash Banavalikar before Pedro could nod the ball home.
The City side had just one long attempt at the goal from Prasil Kankonkar which was grabbed by Calangute’s custodian Sanij Bugde.
In the 26th minute, once again Panjim’s defender Akash brought a timely clearance off George D S’ouza well executed free-kick.
After much probing in the added time a long clearance by Calangute’s defender Krishnanath Shirodkar was controlled and intelligently lobbed by Jovito Fernandes over the onrushing Panjim’s goalkeeper Preston Rego, 1-0.
Just three minutes into the second session and Panjim Footballers lost a glorious chance for an equaliser. Substitute Nigel Fernandes set up Crespo D’Souza on the right flank who covered some ground and after entering the 18-yard box placed the ball to the far corner of the goal only to find Calangute’s custodian Sanij Bugde bring a full stretched diving save.
At the other end, Calangute were unlucky not to double their lead as Pedro Gonsalve’s header rebounded off the crossbar and the ball travelled to Joywin Carneiro whose header was collected by goalkeeper Preston.
In the closing stages of the match Panjim’s substitute Shaviz Pathan’s 25-yard free-kick took a deflection off Calangute defender Krishnanath for a corner.
Luck did not smile for Panjim footballers where in the added time a stiff grounder by Jonas Colaco came off the far post to Shaviz Phathan whose strike from close travelled out to the dismay of his teammates and supporters.
Calangute’s custodian Sanij Bugde received the Man of the Match award from the hands of Digvijay Velingkar, GFA’s Executive Comittee member.
