Team Herald
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PANJIM: Sesa Football Academy (SFA) began their Geno-GFA First Division League campaign with an impressive 5-0 win over Curtorim Gynkhana while Dempo Sports Club Juniors suffered a narrow 0-1 defeat to Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim on Sunday.
At Rosary ground, Navelim, the ill-tempered match saw plenty of goals, booking and also an expulsion. Though Olvin Cardozo stole the lime-light with a hat-trick for Sesa in their big win over Curtorim, there were moments to forget for Curtorim as Vicky Cardozo was given marching orders with a direct red card for rough play.
SFA dictated play from the word go but had to wait until the 19th minute to break the deadlock when Anil Chawan scored a stunner from a distance.
Once up by a goal, SFA maintained dominance and doubled the account in the 23rd minute through Olvin Cardozo before Melvin Lobo netted the third for the team to give them a three-goal lead at the break.
Crossing over, in the 65th minute, Curtorim Gymkhana were reduced to 10-man following Vicky’s nasty challenge on SFA captain Anil Chawan. Having a man advantage, SFA were always going to be a difficult side to handle and Olvin Cardozo made the best use upfront as he scored two more goals late in the game to complete his hat-trick. Olvin Cardozo was named the man-of-the-match.
At Ella ground, Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim put up a strong game plan as they overcame a stiff challenge from Dempo SC Juniors who were playing in their own backyard.
After an enthralling first 45 minutes, which saw the Golden Eagles play a team game held Cavelossim in the major part of the game. Dempo’s Larryl Mascarenhas and Kimran were outstanding but they failed to break the rival defence line. Cavelossim finally managed to break the deadlock in the 78th minute which turned out to be the match-winner when Ronaldo Coelho scored against the run of play.
The striker went on the win the man-of-the-match award for his goal which earned his team a vital three points.
At Sirsaim ground, A A de Moira and Youth Club of Manora walked away with a point each following a goalless draw.
Neither sides were able to break the deadlock in the 90 minutes duel.
A A de Moira’s Manushawn Fernandes bagged the Geno Man-of-the –Match award.
m At Ambelim ground, Cuncolim Union and St Savio SC also settled for a point apiece as they played a 1-1 draw. There was no score at the break. However, both the teams got into thick of action in the final quarter of the game.
After much probing and pressing, St Savio SC managed to break the rival defence in the 77thminute when Flan Gomes eased his way into the box and placed the ball in the far corner of the net to make it 1-0.
But Cuncolim Union weren’t the side to give up as the goal pushed them to press their opponents and the equalisingl came in the 80th minute through Raju Padashi.
ITI Canacona Principal Eddie Fernandes gave away the man-of-the-match award to St Savio Sports Club’s Flan Gomes.
At Fatorda ground, Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao scripted a hard fought narrow 1-0 win over United Club of Telaulim. After playing a barren first session, the team from the North Goa side scored in the 55th minute through Philip Pazvis.
Taleigao’s Shekar S, Philip P, Salu Santos and Savio Pereira were booked for rough play while Nash Pereira of UC Telaulim also went into the referee’s books. Taleigao’s Philip walked away with the man-of-the-match award.
