Panjim Footballers emerge champs
TEAM HERALD
[email protected]
MAPUSA: Panjim Footballers edged past Guardian Angel Sports Club, Curchorem by a solitary goal to emerge champions of GFA Third Division State play-off final at Duler Stadium, here, Sunday. There was no score at half time.
Even after booking the venue three days prior to the final, GFA failed to announce the fixture which resulted to a low turnout of spectators.
Panjim Footballers, the under-18 Sporting Clube de Goa team coached by Severino Fernandes started with Akeraj Martins and Alwyn D’Souza upfront while Guardian Angel coached by Anand Rodrigues opted for Joson Barreto and Diego Oliveira upfront.
Panjim started off an attacking note with Akeraj’s close ranger going inches wide in the fifth minute. They did not allow their rivals to settle down as Joel Fernandes set up Leichobham Singh inside the box but Guardian Angel defender Shaikh Suheil came up with a timely tackle to deny Leichobham a clear chance at goal in the 11th minute.
Then, in the next minute, Panjim captain Ashwyn D’Souza’s header went wide off a corner kick from Leichobham.
Panjim enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession in the first quarter but lacked sharpness upfront.
At the other end, Guardian Angel slowly picked up pace after a slow start. They tried to take the lead but Joson’s powerful effort missed the target in the 30th minute.
Subsequently, Guardian Angel’s Melvito Fernandes’ perfect cross found Suheil, whose powerful header sailed over the horizontal in the 33rd minute.
Just before the lemon break, Joel crossed to Leichobham whose powerful shot was blocked by Guardian Angel goalkeeper Jovial Couthino.
After resumption, Guardian Angel took control with good short passes and Joson essayed a clever ball to Suheil inside the box but the latter’s rasping shot was saved by Panjim goalkeeper Sherwin Da Cunha.
Panjim made two substitutions: Manuel Fernandes replaced Guatam Dias in the 52nd minute and Toyston Mendonca came in place of Alwyn D’Souza in the 56th minute.
In the 73rd minute, Panjim could have taken the lead but Leichobham’s venomous shot went inches wide after Jesus Estrocio had done the spadework.
Two minutes later, Jesus essayed a perfect cross to Manuel, who headed over from close range.
Panjim finally got their act together and broke the deadlock in the 85th minute. Akeraj sent a defence splitting pass to Leichobham who slotted past the rival goalkeeper to give his team the lead.
Stung by the setback, Guardian Angel rearranged quickly in search of the equalizer and came close in the added time after Suheil set up Joson in the six-yard box but the latter’s shot was blocked by Sherwin.
Panjim were awarded Rs 20,000 alongwith the winners trophy while Guardian Angel had to settle for Rs 10,000 alongwith runners-up trophy handed by GFA vice-president (North) Lavinio Rebello, GFA executive members Angelo Albuquerque ( Ilhas) and Gajanan Kerkar (Bardez).
