Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Clube de Salgaocar registered a solitary goal win over Churchill Brothers Sports Club in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Sunday.
The all-important goal for the winners came in the very first minute through Mevzen Oliveira.
Clube de Salgaocar had better ball possession and attacks at the rival goal but scored only once in the first session through Mevzen.
Clube de Salgaocar would have forged ahead in the 40 seconds due to defensive error of goalkeeper Nitesh Mehra and defender.
However, a minute later Mevzen received a floater from medio Denil Rebello and beat onrushing Churchill Bros’ goalkeeper, to lob the ball into the unguarded goal, 1-0.
In the 9th minute, Clube de Salgaocar almost doubled their lead but this time goalkeeper Nitesh timely cleared the ball before striker Boinao Singh could score.
Red Machine best chance to level terms came in the 32nd minute off a defence error from Clube de Salgaocar’s custodian Sanij Bugde and defender to see Churchill Bros Lunminlen Haokip round up the goalkeeper and placed the ball at the goal which missed the target narrowly.
At the other end, fierce shot by Boinao Singh was blocked by custodian, while minutes later Churchill Bros defender Atharv Dandekar cleared a deadly cross from Clube de Salgaocar’s Royal Oliveira.
On crossing ends, Churchill Bros came with threatening moves but Jobern Cardozo shot was blocked at the first post by Clube de Salgaocar’s custodian while Moirangmayum after darting inside the 18-yard box saw his placement travel just past the far post.
Another glorious chance went a begging for Clube de Salgaocar with Churchill Bros goalkeeper bringing back to back saves to block Mevzen and Roger strikes from close.
In the 77th minute, Clube de Salgaocar’s Royal collecting a pass few metres from the center moved ahead but having just Churchill Bros goalkeeper to beat shot out.
From the eight minutes of added time Clube de Salgaocar’s Roger Pereira failed to get past Churchill Bros goalkeeper in one to one situation.
To add to the injury, Clube de Salgaocar’s skipper Pratesh Shirodkar was sent off with red card booking for showing indecent by Referee Sunil Nanodkar.