TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Goals from Pramod Mardolkar and Ivo Fernandes handed top of the table Sao Minguel de Taleigao their fifth successive win after narrowly defeating Goa Police Sports Club 2-1 in GFA’s First Division at Sangolda ground, Monday. All goals came before the break. Paresh Morje had earlier equalised for Goa Police.
When the teams met in the league last season, it was a division lower and judging by those encounters this game had a lot to live up to. Taleigao’s Steven Baptista was booked, while Sudesh Naik was the only caution for Goa Police.
After twice going ahead in the game, Taleigao seemed to just sit back and let their opponents attack them which looked quite dangerous, but they managed to hold out for the win.
Xamaro Rodrigues worked hard setting up both goals, before being substituted very late on for player-cum-coach Anthony Levino Pereira.
After conceeding early, Goa Police had to chase the game for most part and did a relatively good job, but unfortunately on many occasions seemed to be crowded out by a sea of defenders on entering the rival den.
It took just four minutes for Taleigao to take the lead when Xamaro laid the ball for his strike partner Pramod and he powered the ball into the back of the net.
On the half hour mark Goa Police tried to work the ball around the Taleigao 18-yard box and were patient until they found the right opportunity to strike.
In the 34th minute Domnick Fernandes hoisted the ball from the left flank towards the back post, where Paresh Morje was lurking and his great height advantage allowed him to outjump the Sao Minguel defence to level for Goa Police.
A minute before the break, Xamaro sent in a low driven corner, which should have easily been cut out by the opposition, but the ball eventually rolled in the path of Ivo and he wasted no time in directing it into the goal from hand-shaking distance.
Changing over, both sides had chances to add to the scoreline, but poor finishing in front of goal seemed to frustrate them.
Deep into injury time Taleigao nearly scored through Vincy Fernandes whose cracking shot, came flying back off the post.
Taleigao move to 15 points from five matches, while Goa Police stay on 3 points.
