PANJIM: Goa hammered Tamil Nadu 5-1 in their third match of the Sub-Junior National Football championship (final round), at Dr Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, on Saturday. Goa went into the half-time break leading 3-0.
Goa were in a good rhythm right from the opening minutes. In the eighth minute, Aman Bhore sent in a intelligent through ball that beat two defenders and found its way to Kenneth Da Costa, who missed an easy goal scoring opportunity with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Goa were awarded a free-kick in the 18th minute and Anthony Fernandes, who stepped up saw his curling effort to find Stewart De Mello, whose powerful header hit the upright. For a large portion of the first session, the ball was confined to the midfield and Goa were finding it difficult to break the deadlock.
However, three minutes before the lemon break, Goa were awarded a penalty after Anthony Fernandes in the danger zone. Captain Harsh Patre stepped up for the resultant spot-kick and made no mistake to give Goa the lead.
The opening goal settled some nerves and motivated the squad which resulted in two quick goals in the next five minutes.
In the 44th minute, Stewart sent in a perfect cross to Kenneth Da Costa, who unleashed a powerful shot from just outside the box that sailed into the net. In the very next minute, Aman made it 3-0 in favour of Goa with a deft placement after an assist from Frazer Viegas’ rebound shot.
The second session saw Tamil Nadu much more determined to pull a goal back but Goa always looked dangerous on the counter.
Goa could have increased the margin in the 53rd minute but Movin Gauncar shot wide from just a few yards in front of goal off a Harsh Patre corner-kick.
In the 61st minute, Tamil Nadu scored a goal to make it an interesting contest with a nice shot from outside the box that gave Goa goalkeeper Merrytone Fernandes no chance to save.
Any chance of a Tamil Nadu comeback was settled when Kenneth Da Costa scored the fourth goal for Goa in the 71st minute with a curling shot that found the far corner of the net. The assist came from Aman with a fine through ball.
Stewart than made it 5-1 for Goa in the 79th minute off a long ball from Movin. Goa have now collected seven points from three matches and Goa next take on hosts Delhi on April 18.
