MAPUSA: A brace each from Lallawmkima PC, Sreyas VG and Mohammed Inayath enabled defending champions Services to a comfortable 7-1 win over Gujarat in the Santosh Trophy West Zone Qualifiers, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Sunday.
Novin Gurang was the other goal scorer for the Services team while Mohammed Shoeb Shaikh netted the consolation for Gujarat.
The defending champions Services looked comfortable playing on the artificial turf from the first whistle and had the first shot at goal in the 10th minute when Sushil Shah tried his luck from a distance, however, his effort was easily swallowed in by the rival custodian Vishal Rajkumar Dube.
Gujarat players looked technically sound but were tactically poor and in the 17th minute conceded their first goal. Services Sushil Shan played a long aerial pass on the right wing to Muhammad Inayath and the winger ran into the box, easing his way last Mohammed S Shaik and placed the ball in the far left corner with a curling left footer from inside the box.
Minutes later, Services once again came close to scoring but Sreyas VG couldn’t keep his header in the frame despite connecting brilliantly to Amal M’s corner kick.
The Services attacked in numbers forcing Gujarat to deploy five defenders but the defending champions inflated the tally in the 23rd minute through Muhammad Inayath when he was fed by Shreyas and the former cheekily shot in the empty goal.
Two goals down, Gujarat showed some fighting spirit to get into the game as they tried to get Pavan in their game plane.
But it was Aditya B Radia who played a through pass to Mohammed Shoeb Shaikh and the latter scored from a 18-yard strike which stunned the keeper and early Sunday morning crowd gathered to watch the inaugural match at Duler Stadium.
But hardly had the joy settled, Services responded with a quick goal through Lallawmkima in the next minute. With a quick passing game, Services broke the Gujarat backline through Lallawmkima PC who was set on goal by Harikrishna, and the former had the duty to just lob the ball in the goal and he did with ease to make it 3-1.
At the half hour mark, Gujarat coach replaced defender Mohammed Shaikh, introducing Farooq.
Noven Gurung made it 4-1 just before the break to give Services a comfortable 3-goal cushion.
In the second half, Services continued from where they had stopped and further inflated the tally in the 59th minute through Lallawmkima after he was fed by Inayath.
At the hour mark, Sreyas, who was energetic and game influencer, found the back of the net when the Gujarat defender S Pathan failed to clear the ball in the goal area and the ball rolled to Sreyas, and the lad slotted home from close. Earlier, Lallawmkima almost scored his hat-Teixk but his shot from distance hit the crossbar and went out of play.
Things got even worse for Gujarat in the 79th minute as S Pathan’s failed tackle on Sabir resultant in a foul in the box and the referee made no hesitation in pointing towards the spot. Harikrishma stepped over but his effort was saved by Gujarat keeper Vishal Dube but the ball rolled to Harikrishna once again and once again Vishal blocked the effort only to see the ball fall in Sreyas’ path and
the lad made no mistake to put the ball at the back of the net, 7-1.
Gujarat’s Vishal Dube has an excellent game under the bar. Despite conceding seven, the custodian pulled stunning saved throughout the game which kept the score line from getting worse.
Earlier, students of St Mary’s Convent High School performed two dances–Western Indian fusion and a Tamilian dance during the inaugural function.
Chief guest Goa Football Association President Churchill Alemao greeted the teams along with guest of honour Mapusa MLA Joshua De Souza in the presence of GFA Vice President Levinio Rebello and other executive members.
Before kick-off, a minute’s silence was observed upon the sudden passing away of Guilson Baptista who was a dedicated referee. He was 50.
Churchill Alemao in his condolence message said that the GFA had lost a dedicated referee and a great organiser of DSYA who lent a prompt helping hand in organising the GFA official competition matches at Cansaulim. He was a great lover of football and the GFA will miss him Churchill added.
Earlier, during the inaugural function on request of GFA President Churchill Alemao, guest of honour and Mapusa MLA Joshua de Souza announced that he would paint the entire Duler Stadium to enlighten the stadium.
GFA President Churchill Alemao said, “Francis de Souza was a staunch supporter of football and today his son –Joshua has come forward to help GFA once again. I thank him for his support and we are very grateful for his gesture.”
