MAPUSA: Thangjam Singh scored the match-winner as ten-men Salgaocar Football Club edged past a spirited Sesa Football Academy 2-1, in GFA’s Goa Professional League, round six football match, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, Thursday.
Under-20 Myron Borges put The Green Brigade ahead while Perryson Rebello equalized two minutes after resumption. However, Salgaocar were reduced to ten-men in the 71st minute after Myron was shown a direct red card for a nasty challenge on Alber Gonsalves but Thangjam came to his sides rescue with the match-winner in the 87th minute.
Salgaocar continued their unbeaten run which takes them to top of the table with 13 points and a game in hand. Sesa are in the eighth spot with five points.
Salgaocar controlled the first session and surged ahead at the half hour mark as Myron beautifully slotted past rival keeper Thockchom Singh after defender Myran Pereira failed to clear the ball inside the danger zone.
Soon, The Green Brigade could have doubled their advantage but Thangjam’s stiff grounder missed the target narrowly.
Sesa responded two minutes after resumption. Lenstan Afonso’s perfect free-kick fell to Melvin Fernandes, who guided the ball in the path of Perryson to head past keeper Karanjit Singh, 1-1.
As the match reached in the 71st minute, Myron lost his cool after his appeal for a foul was overlooked by match referee Elvis Simoes. In the very next moment, Myron was shown the direct red-card for deliberately kicking and getting down Sesa’s Alber from behind.
However, the academy boys couldn’t make most of the numerical advantage and saw their opponents stretch their defence.
With three minutes to go for the final whistle, Thangjam scored the match-winner with an easy tap in after receiving a perfect low cross by Scottish Daryl Duffy, who played a quick one-two with Dohou Pierre.
