MAPUSA: Vasco Sports Club managed to do the double over Guardian Angel Sports Club as they secured a hard-fought 1-0 win in the Goa Professional League match, organised by Goa Football Association, played at Duler Stadium, here on Friday.
With this win, the Port Towners have 12 points from 11 matches, whereas, Angels have 17 points from 12 outings.
Vasco had the upper hand when both the sides met last time in the league as the Port Towners had registered their first three points against the same opponents.
However, Vasco were in poor form as they were without a win in the last four matches. Whereas, Angels had defeated Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in the previous round match.
Leny Fernandes and Clive Coelho replaced Micky Fernandes and Franky Oliveira in the Vasco’s playing XI, whereas Allen Fernandes and Alson Oliveira were the new faces in the Angels’ starting XI.
Vasco were the dominant side in the first few minutes as they continuously penetrated the rival’s defence but the strong defending from Angels’ last line restricted Anil Goancar, Clive, Shubert Pereira and Vasseba Toure from scoring in the first 10 minutes.
Angels also had a chance in the very next minute when Rayman Fernandes sent a low pass to Yakubu Mohammed in the box but the Nigerian striker shot wide from close.
A few minutes later, Rayman himself chose to go for glory from the distance but his sparkling shot missed the target by a whisker.
In the last few minutes before the half-time whistle, Angels once again marched on the rivals when Yakubu set up Joval Fernandes in the box but the midfielder’s shot was excellently pushed away for safety by Vasco keeper Amit Biswas.
Vasco suffered a blow when their skipper Schubert was injured and replaced by Franky in the 43rd minute.
However, the substitute striker made his impact within two minutes after coming in as he scored from his first touch. The speedy winger Anil made a swift run on the wing cutting past a defender and released the ball to Franky in the box who made an easy tap from close to put his side ahead.
Angels regrouped at the half-time and came out stronger in the second session as they continuously penetrated the rival last line at regular intervals. However, the best chance came for the Curchorem based club in the 64th minute as Yakubu showed his calibre when he easily dribbled past three defenders in the box but his scorching shot was tipped for a corner by Vasco custodian Amit.
Angels were unlucky not to equalise in the 77th minute when Allen found Alson with a long ball from the halfway line, who fired from inside the box but his powerful striker rebounded off the crossbar.
The last few minutes of the match saw, Angels sharpening them in the attacking with experienced midfielder Nicholas Rodrigues coming in for Alson.
However, Angels wasted two more easy chances in the dying minutes as on both the occasions Perryson Rebello shot wide when he could have done it better.
