TEAM HERALD
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MAPUSA: Goa Police rallied to register a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Young Boys of Tonca in a Round Three First Division football league match at Poriat ground, Calangute, Wednesday. YBT led 1-0 at half time.
The teams started on an attacking note having suffered defeats in their previous two matches.
Goa Police started with Rajesh Kandolkar and Abdul Kadar Khan upfront while YBT hoped the combination of Terence Lobo and Columban Noronha would help them get their first points.
FLAVIO LOPES RIVALS IN ARMS: A Goa Police defender tries to snatch the ball from a YBT player in a Round Three First Division football league match at Poriat ground, Calangute, Wednesday. |
The game burst into life in the 10th minute after YBT goalkeeper Parvaraji Joshi failed to collect a dangerous cross from Goa Police’s Sudesh Kerkar that found unmarked Rajesh, who however, could not direct his close range header into the open goal.
Goa Police did not allow their rivals to settle down as Kishore Palkar sent a defence-splitting pass to Sudesh inside the box but the last named could not finish in the 14th minute.
At the other end, in the next minute, YBT stretched their legs after Cedric Fernandes made a promising run in the rival citadel but Sudesh came up with a timely clearance which resulted in a corner. Off the resultant flag kick, YBT’s Queterio Pango found Amiruddin Kuttaddvar, who leaped high above the rival defenders but his header missed the mark narrowly.
After a slow start, YBT found rhythm and surged ahead in the 34th minute through Columban’s top of the box shot that beat Rupesh.
Subsequently, YBT’s Dhillon Fernandes dribbled past Goa Police’s defender Amir Salgaonkar and set up Terence but the latter’s rasping shot was parried away by the rival custodian.
Changing over, YBT continued playing good, short passes and substitute Jovisco Fernandes essayed an intelligent through ball to Columban who was caught off-side by assistant referee Rohidas Bhomkar.
However, in the 54th minute, Columban timed his run perfectly and registered his brace with a clever chip over onrushing Rupesh.
Down by two goals, Goa Police tried hard to crawl back into the game and their efforts paid off after Rajesh Salgaokar pulled one back in the 75th minute.
Five minutes later, Goa Police made it 2-2 after Sudesh’s low cross from the left flank was cleverly side-footed by Rajesh that caught Parvaraji napping.
There was no looking back for the spirited policemen who went all out in search of the match-winner and in the 84th minute Abdul set up Amir inside the danger zone, who finished with an adroit placement to seal three points for his team.
Goa Police are now on three points after three matches while YBT are yet to open their account having suffered three consecutive defeats.
