MAPUSA: Malsawmtluanga’s 91st minute strike saw FC Goa defeat Sporting Clube de Goa by a solitary goal in the GFA’s Goa Professional League at Duler stadium here on Monday.
Sporting Clube de Goa coach Armando Colaco fielded the same starting XI which gave his team victory against new entrants Pax of Nagoa, while FC Goa in charge Deggie Cardozo made three changes in his starting XI after having lost to Churchill Brothers. After the second round both the teams have three points each. The first session did not rise to great heights except for a long ranger by Sporting’s Dattaraj Gaonkar which was pushed by Young Gaurs goalkeeper Micky Dias over the cross bar.
Then in the last quarter of the first session Young Gaurs squandered two golden opportunity in taking the lead. Malsawmtluanga combined brilliantly with Lemmet Tangvah who passed it back to Malsawmtluanga who to the total disbelief of his teammates and supporters hit the side netting from close. Minutes later Ameen Attar collected a long ball from Vellington Fernandes and drove a stiff grounder which was being brilliantly blocked with his leg by Sporting’s custodian Manjunath Hirekurbar. On crossing ends in the 62nd minute Young Gaurs Bryson Pereira set up substitute Saish Gaonkar inside the 18-yard box whose strike at the goal was blocked by Sporting’s defender Myron Fernandes for a corner.
From the resultant corner a firm header by defender Reezvon Fernandes kissed the upright and rebounded into play. Sporting had a chance to take the lead in the 71st minute but substitute Vidipt Dua agonizing effort to connect the ball off Liston Cardozo went in vain. When it looked the match was heading for a goalless draw Young Gaurs Malsawmtluanga scored the winning goal in the added time by connecting Akash Oraow cross from a goalmouth melee, 1-0. Young Gaurs Malsawmtluanga received the man of the match award from of Manola Marquez – FC Goa senior team manager.
