PANJIM: Panjim Footballers registered a comfortable 2-0 win over Churchill Brothers FC Goa in the Goa Football Association Goa Professional League (Relegation League) at Duler Stadium, Mapusa.
Irfan Yadwad (37’) and Clifton Rebello (90+6) scored in either halves for Panjim Footballers which took them to 12 points from 15 games while Red Machines remain on 22 points from equal outings.
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Speaking to Herald after the win, Panjim Footballers President Anthony Vas was delighted with the result and said, “we had a mix campaign this year, but this was a crucial win for us. It’s a huge result for the young lads who played their hearts out against a strong side which got some talented players. We not only matched them today, but the scoreline says it, we defeated them.”
Anthony further stated that despite missing out on same names in the squad, the team is giving their best. “I am even happy that my team didn’t wait till the last game. We ensured our safety and secured another year of top flight football with this win. It’s a big day for us.”
Churchill’s defence was good enough to keep Panjim at bay. However, it finally opened in the 37th minute. Finally, Panjim were awarded a penalty when Chandan Gawas tried to find Irfan in the box with a long ball, however the latter was brought down in the box by Keenan Almeida where referee Tejas made no hesitation to point towards the spot.
Though the rival camp opposed the decision, nothing could be done. Keeping his composure, Irfan stepped up and shouldered the responsibility to give his side a first half lead.
In the second session, the game was restricted to midfield where Akash Sanadi and Malcolm Gonsalves controlled the game for Panjim while Darrel Peixoto and Pushkar Prabhu were brilliant for the Red Machines.
Franky Oliveira of Panjim was handed a chance to inflate the tally but the former Churchill Brothers player couldn’t score past his former club.
Panjim sealed the win in the dying minutes of the game when Lokesh Gawas on getting the ball, played across Deep Pednekar, who sent a smart pass to Clifton Rebello.
Clifton darted past the rival defence and rounded past the keeper to make it 2-0.
