Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Sesa FA struck two late goals to register a 2-0 win over Goa Police SC in the Goa Professional Super League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Monday.
Sesa FA scored through Mohammad Faheez and Savlon Fernandes to give full points for their team to keep them in GPL title contest.
After the win, Sesa FA have 32 points from 15 matches while Goa Police stay on 19 points from 16 matches.
Sesa FA did have better ball possession in the first session and made some inroads inside the rival territory but superb defending by Goa Police Gauresh Desai and skipper Harshad Gaonkar gave very little space for striker Mohammed and Omkar Shetgaonkar to have a clear strike at the rival goal.
In the very 5th minute, a deadly cross from the right flank by U-21 Velito Rocha to Mohammad saw his strike hit the defender and then being collected by Goa Police custodian Saiesh Kunkolkar.
Later, Goa Police Abdul Khan’s 25-yard stiff grounder went just past the goal post from a free-kick. This time Sesa FA’s Omkar Shetgaonkar strike hit the defender for a corner.
Just four minutes into the second session and Sesa FA Chaitan Dabholkar ballooned the ball over the crossbar from a pinpoint cross by substitute Savlon.
At the other end, Goa Police almost surged ahead when substitute Vaibhav Naik dribbled past defender Myran Pereira and drove a power-packed right-footer which was blocked by Sesa FA custodian Sapam Singh at the first post.
As the match progressed, both the teams missed a glorious chance each to take the lead.
Sesa FA defender Myran Pereira tapped the ball over the crossbar from inside the 18-yard box while Goa Police Mayuresh Naik strike was blocked by Sesa FA custodian from close.
Finally, in the 79th minute, Sesa FA managed to take the lead with Mohammad scoring from the penalty spot after he was brought down by Goa Police stopper back Gauresh Desai inside the penalty box. In the 85th minute, Sesa FA skipper Shridharnath Gawas received the marching orders for indecent act on the referee.
Sesa FA’s Savlon darted inside the 18-yard box from the right flank and placed the ball into the far corner of the goal to make it 2-0 in the 91st minute of play.