TEAM HERALD
MARGAO: Salcete Football Club edged past Nagoa Sporting Club 3-2 in GFA First Division League at SAG ground, Assolna, on Friday.
Salcete Club were leading 3-0 at lemon break.
The start was startling as Salcete Football Club took off perfectly. They surged ahead in the 11th minute through midfielder Joel Camara. Following a flag kick taken by Austin Fernandes from the right saw Joel without wasting no time unleashed a snap shot to beat the Nagoa Sporting Club goalkeeper Rohit Maulingkar hands down.
Earlier, Salcete Football Club missed an easy chance when striker Minguel Baretto shot wide with only rival goalkeeper at his mercy.
Spurred by the early success, Salcete Football Club intensified their attacks and doubled the lead in the 12th minute when Jaison Pereira overpowered his markers and punished the rival goalkeeper with neat finish.
Down by two early goals, Nagoa Sporting Club found it hard to recover. Much desperate to pull things back after initial setback, they had only one chance but Subham Malvankar feeble push went straight into the safe hands of Salcete FC goalkeeper Dolvin Costa.
Salcete FC scored their third goal in the 24th minute when Melliston Fernandes received the through pass from Minguel Baretto and slotted past the rival goalkeeper with stiff grounder.
Salcete FC could have made it 4-0 but Austin Fernandes’ rasping volley was well blocked by Nagoa goalkeeper.
Crossing over, Nagoa Sporting Club put up a better display and kept their opponents on the defensive. They preferred to attack down the right flanks and pulled one back in the 60th minute when winger Subham from the right unleashed a snap shot which deflected the leg of rival defender Mellister Silva and eluded the Salcete FC goalkeeper Dolvin.
Earlier, Nagoa SC had a golden chance to reduce the margin but Fourtnato was the culprit as he shot straight into the safe hands of rival goalkeeper. The reducer lifted up the spirits of the Nagoa SC and attacked the rival defence with well orchestrated raids.
Dattaram Diukar reduced the deficits in the injury time when his try hit the rival defender Peter Pinto’s leg and caught the Salcete goalkeeper on the wrong foot.
Meanwhile, Nagoa SC team manager rushed to the referee after the final whistle and had a heated argument and questioned him why he denied two penalties for his team and also abused.
However, local organizer John Silva cooled down the frayed tempers and escorted the referee to the dressing room.
In another match at T.B Cunha Sports Complex ground, Cansaulim, Curtorim Gymkhana came from behind to hold Vasco Sports Club to a 1-1 draw.
Vasco Sports Club led 1-0 at the break. Both the sides had a number of chances in the opening session.
Vasco Sports Club broke the deadlock in the 29th minute when Raymond Fernandes headed home off well executed cross from the flank by Bosco. After taking the lead, Vasco Sports Club created more chances but could not score due to inept shooting by their forwards. Anup and Joston Pereira were the worst offenders as they fired wide from hand shaking distance.
Post resumption, Curtorim Gymkhana put up a vast display and attacked the rival goal with renewed vigour. They found the equalizer in the 80th minute when Marcus Peixoto former Dempo wing back moved swiftly after picking up the ball from his own half and intelligently flicked the ball into the net.
It was tale of missed chances, Vasco SC squandered chances. Firstly, Joston ballooned over and later Janak blasted wide. Curtorim Gymkhana suffered a blow in the 82nd when Marcus was ejected by referee on professional foul on Vasco SC goalkeeper.
Curtorim Gymkhana were unlucky when Cliff Baretto’s try hit the cross bar much to the dismay of Curtorim Gymkhana supporters.
