MAPUSA: Salgaocar Football Club registered a solitary goal victory over Sporting Clube de Goa to win the Goa Football Association’s Charity Cup match, at Duler Stadium, here, on Saturday.
Aslon Oliveira scored the all-important goal of the match before half time.
The teams opted to field youngsters who tried to impress their coaches in the first session. Salgaocar FC looked well composed as Gilbert Oliveira sent in a dangerous cross to Varinder Singh but the striker shot over the horizontal bar from an ideal position in the 20th minute.
As the match progressed, Salgaocar FC pressed forward and Sporting Club were forced to defend. The Greens tried to add creativity in the midfield and head coach Malcolm Thomson handed debut to Scottish Martin Scott. The move hardly made a difference but Salgaocar FC managed to break the deadlock just before the lemon break.
The Greens were awarded a free-kick and Brian Mascarenhas made the rival custodian to stretch to his limit as the ball brushed the fingers of Kamaljit Singh only to rebound after hitting the upright and fall in the path of Aslon Oliveira, who was the quickest to head in for the opener.
In the second session, Salgaocar FC tried to strengthen their position by introducing the experienced Thangjam Singh in place of Gilbert Oliveira.
As the match progressed, Sporting Clube tried to bounce back but their midfield could not function as a cohesive unit. Head coach Mateus Costa brought in striker Ndidi Chukwima in place of medio Glen Martins but they struggled to create chances upfront.
At the other end, Salgaocar FC continued their dominance and the introduction of Scottish striker Daryl Duffy gave them the edge.
In the 65th minute, Duffy sounded the alarm after perfectly chesting down a Rosario Mendes free-kick but the former powerful half volley was blocked by Kamaljit.
Sporting Clube came closest to scoring in the 78th minute but Marcus Mascarenhas was left frustrated to see his header hit the crossbar off a cross from Jovel Martins.
Salgaocar FC received the winner’s trophy from Sporting Clube President Peter Vaz while Salgaocar FC President Shivanand Salgaocar presented Sporting Clube the runners-up trophy in the presence of GFA President Elvis Gomes and other dignitaries.
Trophies were also awarded to GFA league winners and runners-up to the following clubs. First Division League: winners Guardian Angel SC, runners-up Curtorim Gymkhana. Second Division League: winners Sesa Football Academy (Juniors), runners-up Panchawadi United Club. Taca Goa Under-20 League: winners Sporting Clube de Goa. Taca Goa Under-20 League (2nd Division): winners Margao SC.
Under-16 First Division: winners Sesa Football Academy, runners-up Velsao Pale SC. Under-14 First Division League: winners GFDC South.
