TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Salgaocar Football Club rode on a 58th minute solitary goal by striker Milagres Gonsalves to get the better of Mumbai Football Club in a 20th round I-League football match at Duler Stadium, here, Saturday. There was no score at half time.
Salgaocar missed the services of goalkeeper Karanjit Singh, Randeep Singh and Brazillian Josimar da Silva due to suspension. In the given circumstances coach David Booth started with goalkeeper Vinay Singh, Brian Mascarenhas and striker Milagres Gonsalves, who partnered Nigerian Gabriel Obatola. Captain Luciano Saborosa’s comeback from injury also boosted The Green Brigade.
Mumbai coach, Khalid Jamil fielded a young side with ND Opara and experienced Yusif Yakubu in the striking role for Mumbai. They could have surged ahead in the second minute but Nicholas Rodrigues’ rasping free-kick was tipped over by Vinay.
Subsequently, Salgaocar created an opening as Milagres cleverly headed in the path of Obatola but the Nigerian shot wide with only Mumbai custodian Luis Barreto at his mercy in the sixth minute.
The visitors comfortably moved the ball and created dangerous moves. Yakubu thought he had scored with a beautiful chip over the rival custodian in the 21st minute only to be ruled off-side by the referee’s assistant.
In the 32nd minute, an alert Luis parried away Obatola’s effort after the latter’s shot deflected off Mumbai defender Faizal Rehman.
Then onwards, play was restricted to the midfield until Salgaocar broke the deadlock in the second session. Brian Mascarenhas’ quick throw-in found Fulgencio Cardozo, who sent in a low-cross to Obatola, who then set up unmarked Milagres and the last named took his time to hammer past goalkeeper Luis from close range.
Stung by the setback, Mumbai went on the offensive and tried hard to penetrate in the rival territory but a strong rival defense line left them frustrated. Their best chance to equalize came in the 78th minute when Gabriel sent in a well-measured cross to Yakubu but the latter could not get to the end of it.
John Wilkinson was adjudged the Most Valuable Player for his role in the midfield.
Salgaocar are now at the ninth spot with 20 points while Mumbai are on the seventh spot with 26 points.
Post match, Khalid Jamil looked dejected and felt his team lacked sharpness upfront after creating several chances. “We created promising moves but our strikers failed to deliver. We are having difficulties in away games. The last time we played at this venue against Dempo we let go a two-goal lead and had to settle for a point. Today we were unlucky not to get anything out of this match,” said Jamil.
David Booth was a much relived man after collecting three crucial points that helped them move out of the relegation zone. “It’s a relief, we worked hard after going down to Sporting two days back. The result was all that mattered and I’m happy with the team’s performance. We prepared differently after missing our key players due to suspension and it worked out,” said the Englishman.
