MAPUSA: Sachidanand Satelkar’s 14th minute strike enabled Calangute Association to register a solitary goal win over Corps of Signals in the Goa Professional League organised by GFA, played at Poriat ground, here on Saturday.
Calangute Association finally tasted success at their home turf, by securing their first three points to send their large supporters who had come to cheer their team happy and content.
After Saturday’s win, Calangute Association have four points while Corps of Signals are yet to open their account after their third league match.
Calangute coach Agostinho Dias made three changes to his starting XI by fielding Melton Lobo in the defence, Shubham Naik in goal and U-20 Diptesh Naik upfront.
At the other end, Corps of Signals manager Major Chahal made two changes in the starting XI by fielding Ankan Dawn and Amit Tariyal.
Though the beachside dominated the first session it was the Army men that came close to opening the account in the fifth minute when Calangute keeper Shubham Naik came up with a superb save to stop a hot-blooded shot from striker Harshad Thube from close.
That was the only good attempt which came from the Army men when then on the Calangute players came with series of attack on the rival territory.
It was in the 14th minute Franky Oliveira sent a long ball inside the penalty box to Sachidananad Satelkar who after he danced past a host of Signals defenders placed the ball into the far corner of the goal to give his side the lead.
Calangute should have extended their lead in the 25th minute where Sanket Jotkar found himself inside the penalty box, but the latter instead of drilling a shot at the goal passed the ball to Franky who made a mess of the opportunity by shooting wide.
Six minutes later, a curling free-kick by Dominic Fernandes was cleared by Signals defender Amit Tariyal which rolled to Franky who shot skywards.
Just two minutes into the second session, Calangute’s Sachidanand Satelkar sent a deadly cross from the left flank to Franky inside the penalty box, but the latter faltered in finishing the ball into the goal.
That was the only good attempt the beachside lads had a good look at the rival goal.
At the other end, the Army men went all out in search of the equaliser, but the last line of the Calangute defence marshalled by stopper backs skipper Nicolau Colaco and Gaurav Vaigankar gave them little room to have a clear look at their goal.
In the last ten minutes before the whistle, Calangute side almost conceded a goal. Harshad Thube blistering shot from outside the penalty box in the 82nd minute was tipped over the goal post by Calangute keeper Shubham for a corner.
Finally, in the added time Nim Tshering Bhutia’s curling shot from top of the penalty box ricocheted of the goal post.
