MAPUSA: Corps of Signals eased past Panjim Footballers as they registered an overpowering 3-0 win over the promoted side in the Goa Professional League match, organised by Goa Football Association, played at Duler Stadium, on Wednesday.
Failing to win their previous three matches, Panjim coach Savio Vaz made three changes to the side which lost to Dempo after conceding four goals. Goalkeeper Sherwin Da Cunha, Paulo Joao and Ruflon Fernandes found their names in the starting XI. On the other hand, Signals also had two new faces, Omprakash Bhogta and Praful Surin in the playing XI, Harshad Thube was brought back after being benched for the last two matches.
Signals came with two potent attacks within the first five minutes after the kick-off but the Panjim defenders cleared every danger. Two minutes later, Pawan Thakur wasted an easy opportunity to take his side into the lead when he headed over the crossbar after receiving a perfect cross from their skipper Kuldeep Kumar.
Meanwhile, Panjim also came up with two quick attacks. First, Harshad Naik crossed the ball in the box to Paulo but his back-foot tap was easily collected by Signals keeper Binu Purushothama while Harshad once again found Clifton Fernandes in a similar style but this time also Signals custodian came up with a brilliant diving save to stop midfielder’s powerful shot from inside the box.
At the other end, after some probing attacks, Signals finally opened the scoreline in the 16th minute when Thube provided a perfect cross to the onrushing U-20 winger, Joshley Gomes who in return made a cut back pass to U-20 striker Cyril Dias. The striker later made an easy tap-in making it 1-0 for Signals.
Panjim came out stronger and created two back-to-back chances. Snedden’s powerful shot from the edge of the box hit the goalpost with every opponent beaten, while a minute later, the striker shot the ball wide from close range with just the opponent keeper at stake.
In the 62nd minute, Panjim’s last-man Clive Miranda fumbled with the ball at the half-way line, taking advantage of the same, Cyril snatched the ball from the defender’s feet and made a superb run but failed to beat keeper. Two minutes later, Thube made an excellent footwork on the wing to dribble past few opponents in his run but failed to put in some power in his shot from inside the box as keeper Sherwin collected the ball easily.
In the dying minutes of the match, Signals added two more goals to their tally as Pawan made no mistake from the spot after Panjim defender Clive handled Cyril’s goal-bound shot from inside the box where referee Melroy D’Silva quickly pointed towards the penalty spot.
In the 91st minute Corps of Signal scored yet another one as Vishnu Chetri calmly headed the ball in after receiving a fine header from the left flank which came from Lairellakpam Singh.
