TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Salgaocar Football Club drubbed Goa Velha Sports Club 4-1 to lift the GFA Charity Football Cup at Duler Stadium, here, Sunday. The winners led 2-1 at the breather.
The teams started attackingly and Salgaocar could have surged ahead in the very second minute but Gilbert Oliveira’s chip over out-of-position Goa Velha custodian Milagrio Madeira was collected by the latter.
Goa Velha created their first threat in the ninth minute after Salgaocar goalkeeper Felix D’Souza’s poor clearance travelled to Goa Velha’s Alber Gonsalves, who had a clear look at the goal but Salgaocar defender Milagres Gonsalves came to his side’s rescue with a timely tackle just inside the box.
In the 13th minute, Goa Velha were awarded a penalty after striker Joe Colaco was brought down by Salgaocar’s Ajmaludin Umer in the danger zone and referee Valenton Fernandes did not hesitate to book Ajmaludin and point to the penalty spot. Nestor Dias kept his cool and converted from the spot-kick to give Goa Velha the lead.
Stunned by the setback, Salgaocar regrouped quickly and forward Bale Gagandeep came close to scoring but his powerful header was blocked by goalkeeper Milagrio off a corner-kick from Gilbert.
In the 23rd minute, The Green Brigade equalized after Milagres set up Gilbert, who fired a 30-yarder that went past the diving rival custodian.
Then onwards, Salgaocar controlled the proceedings and enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession. Just before the lemon break, Salgaocar took the lead after Gilbert’s close ranger was blocked by goalkeeper Milagrio and the ball fell to Francis, who beautifully chipped over the rival custodian.
Changing over, Salgaocar were reduced to ten men in the 62nd minute after Bale clumsily tackled Goa Velha’s Wellington Fernandes from behind only to receive his second yellow card followed by the inevitable red.
In the 68th minute, Gilbert’s dangerous free-kick sailed over the rival defence and found substitute Rakesh Masih, whose powerful half-volley crashed into the rival nylons to make it 3-1.
In the 82nd minute, Goa Velha’s Joy Gonsalves made a promising run, dribbling past three rival defenders but his effort was blocked by goalkeeper Felix.
Two minute later, Goa Velha should have scored but striker Joe shot wide in front of the open goal.
With three minutes to go for the final whistle, Salgaocar scored their fourth goal when Agustin Fernandes leaped over the rival defenders to head in a perfect free-kick from Gilbert.
The rock-solid Salgaocar defenders Agustin, Milagres, Rosario Mendes and Jos Vaz worked tirelessly to guard their citadel.
Chief guest Deputy Chief Minister, Francis D’Souza awarded the winners and runners-up trophy to Salgaocar and Goa Velha respectively in the presence of GFA president, Shrinivas Dempo; vice-president (North) Lavinio Rebello; executive members Savio Messias, Schubert Furtado, Babli Mandrekar, Gajanan Kerkar, Uday Lingudkar, Welwyn Menezes and Anju Albuquerque.
Shrinivas informed that the player to whom the gate collection amount would be presented was yet to be finalized.
