TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: A fine brace by Gideon Dovi helped Goan Warriors Football Club edge past Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao 2-1 in a GFA’s U-20 Second Division football league match at Duler Stadium, here, Saturday.
After a barren first half, Gideon broke the deadlock for Goan Warriors at the hour mark and then registered his brace in the 77th minute. Ashley Rodrigues reduced the margin for Taleigao in the final minutes.
Goan Warriors have collected six points from four matches while Taleigao remain with seven points after five outings.
Goan Warriors enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession but their strikers lacked firepower. After establishing easy control, they had a golden opportunity to surge ahead at the hour mark when skipper Arbaz Shaikh sent a perfect free-kick in the danger zone to Gideon Don but the striker couldn’t shoot past Taleigao goalkeeper Virender Tulsidas from close range.
In the opening minutes Shyam and Samuel tried their luck from long range but keeper Virender left them frustrated. At the other end, Taleigao played defensively and could only create an opening before the break when Octavio Miranda sent a dangerous ball through for his striking partner Prajat Mondal. Goan Warriors custodian Pranav Amonkar came out of his area to clear the threat but his poor clearance saw Prajat gain possession only for defender Rohit Shirodkar to make a timely clearance.
Post resumption, Taleigao matched their rivals for pace but Goan Warriors broke the deadlock in the 62nd minute. Substitute Edwin Veigas moved dangerously down the left flank and sent a perfect low cross to Gideon, who hammered in from inside the six-yard box. Subsequently, Goan Warriors doubled the advantage in the 77thminute. Taleigao defender Karan Shirodkar’s poor goal-kick landed to Gideon at the edge of the box and the striker did well to finish for his brace. As the match became frantic, Taleigao pulled a goal back in the dying minutes as Ashley Rodrigues finished with a deft placement.
