Team Herald
MAPUSA: Panjim Footballers registered a well-deserved 3-0 win over Vasco Sports Club in the fifth-round match of the GFA’s Professional League, played at Duler Stadium, here on Thursday.
It was the first win and the first three points for Panjim Footballers while Vasco colts stay on four points.
Panjim were leading 1-0 at the breather with Joyson Gauncar getting a brace while Janio Fernandes contributed for the other.
It was a much improved display by the Panjim lads, after losing their last match to Churchill Bros, who pegged back their opponents for most part of the match and were also helped by the poor goalkeeping from Vasco`s Sanju Thapa in the second session.
Panjm were awarded an early free-kick by referee Premanand Mandrekar after Vasco’s Mainoo Dadanuvoor hackled down Chandan Gawas, Vallmiky who lined up behind the ball saw his shot go wide.
A short corner kick taken in the 19th minute by Alston Camotio and Joyson Gauncar saw the ball come to skipper Kunal Kundaikar who in turn found U-20 Janio Fernandes at the face of the goal, who headed the ball into the net, 1-0
Minutes later, Vasco keeper Sanju Thapa brought a full stretch save to stop Joyson stinging shot from crashing into the net.
Vasco had the first decent attempt around the 30th minute when Ivorian Lago Bei cracking shot was well kept out by a diving Panjim keeper Preston Rego.
Panjim nearly doubled their lead in the 35th minute but were denied by a timely goal line clearance by Vasco defender Aliston Dsouza.
In added time, Panjim’s Chandan getting hold off a pass from Alston darted into the penalty box but after doing all the hard work shot wide from close range.
Crossing end, it was calamity for Vasco as their keeper Sanju Thappa who has been outstanding in the previous matches gifted two goals for Panjim Footballers and ended their hopes of any comeback.
First in the 51st minute, Joyson Gauncar`s free kick which was not struck with much venom saw keeper Sanju Thappa slip the ball from his grasp into the net, 2-0.
It was different at the other end with Panjim keeper Preston Rego showing safe pair of hands, who kept out a vicious shot from Sanwil D’Costa in entering the goal.
It was game over in the 78th minute when Vasco’s keeper Sanju parried a cross from Panjim’s Chandan cross straight to Joyson who beautifully chested the ball and smashed it into goal 3-0.
