TEAM HERALD
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MAPUSA: Salgaocar FC thumped Shillong Lajong 2-0 in a Round 20 I-League football match at Duler Stadium, here, Saturday. Salgaocar led 2-0 at half time.
This was Salgaocar’s second consecutive win on-the-trot.
| Salgaocar’s Randeep Singh and Lajong’s Minchol Son being booked by referee Rahul D’Sa after an altercation between the two in a Round 20 I-League football match at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, Saturday. |
Coach David Booth had to make do with a makeshift defensive pairing of Augustin Fernandes and Nicolao Colaco as Salgaocar captain Luciano Sabrosa was ruled out due to a hamstring injury and Rahul Kumar serving suspension for his direct red card against Sporting.
Nigerian Gabriel Obatola and Brazilian Josimar Da Silva started in the striking role.
Lajong’s morale was high after defeating their North-Eastern rivals Sikkim United 2-1 in the previous round. This was Gumpe Singto’s third game in charge after the sacking of Desmond Bulpin. India International Sushil Kumar paired with Sho Kamimura upfront for Lajong while goalkeeper Basant Singh was preferred to Lalthuammawia Ralte.
Salgaocar started on a positive note, creating umpteen chances but failed to convert them. A long ball from Agustin found Josimar but Lajong goalkeeper Basant averted the danger in the second minute. Then, Obatola’s outside the box effort was blocked by Lajong captain Wailadmi Passah after the rival custodian was out of his position in the 14th minute.
In the next minute, Lajong’s Samuel Shadap was booked by referee Rahul D’Sa for his challenge on Salgaocar captain Rocus Lamare.
The Green Brigade kept the rival defenders on their toes and surged ahead in the 20th minute. Wilkinson’s clever long ball found Josimar, who outpaced the rival defenders, beat Basant and tapped into the open goal.
Lajong tried hard to get back into the match as Kamimura sent in an intelligent ball to Sushil inside the box but Agustin came up with a timely tackle to deny Sushil a clear chance at goal in the 29th minute.
Subsequently, Sushil headed in the path of Kamimura, whose chip shot was blocked by Vinay.
Salgaocar doubled their lead in the 39th minute after Randeep Singh’s curling free-kick left the rival custodian stunned.
In the 40th minute, Sushil’s powerful right-footer was blocked by the rival custodian.
After resumption, Salgaocar brought in Milagres Gonsalves in place of Wilkinson, who suffered an injury on his and was rushed to the hospital. They continued playing good short passes as Francis sent a through ball to Josimar in the 48th minute but the Brazilian was flagged off-side by the assistant referee.
In the 53rd minute, Son and Randeep broke into an argument over a free-kick that eventually went Lajong’s way but the duo ended up in the referee’s book.
Seven minutes later, Obatola’s perfect cross found Rocus, whose powerful header was parried away the rival custodian.
Then, Josimar passed to Francis in right flank, but the latter’s promising run was cut short by Lajong’s Eugeneson Lyngdoh with a timely tackle.
Salgaocar continued to dictate terms and Randeep’s venomous shot was saved by Basant in the 64th minute.
Salgaocar’s Collin Abranches replaced Fulgencio in the 79th minute after the last named sustained a shoulder injury.
Six minutes later, Francis passed to Milagres who set up Brian but the latter’s powerful grounder was blocked by Basant.
In the 90th minute, Milagres was booked for simulation after he saw his shot blocked by the rival custodian and went down rather too easily.
Salgaocar’s Rocus Lamare was adjudged most valuable player for his performance in midfield.
David Booth was pleased with his side’s win. “The three points really mattered. We managed to get the points despite Wilkinson being rushed to hospital following an injury sustained on his face and Fulgencio’s shoulder injury,” said the Englishmen.
The long break after this round will definitely help teams recover from injuries while it may also break the rhythm of some.
Thangboi Singto was unhappy with his team’s performance especially against the Goan sides. “We have not been performing against Goan teams. If we had converted our chances in the first half, things would have been different. Our morale was high after defeating Sikkim, but now we have to rebuild it again,” stated Singto.
Salgaocar have climbed to the ninth spot in the standings with 20 points from 19 matches while Lajong are in the 11th place with 19 points from the same number of matches.
