TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: A promising hat-trick by Blake Haldankar helped Goa Velha Sports Club thump Margao Sports Club 4-2 in an Airtel Goa Pro League football match (relegation) at Duler Stadium, here, Monday. The teams were locked 1-1 at half time.
Goa Velha finished their league matches with 16 points from 13 outings. Margao suffered their 12th consecutive defeat and have a final match to play.
Goa Velha shot into the lead in the fourth minute when striker Blake Haldankar toed in a low cross from the right flank by Nester Dias.
Margao regrouped and surprisingly controlled the proceedings with good ball possession.
The equalizer came in the 39th minute off a Vijal Rego set piece. Sidroy Alfonso fouled Damodar Harijan outside the box prompting referee Dharma Chodankar to award a free-kick. Vijal’s dangerous free-kick sailed over the rival defenders and found Damodar, who headed in past rival keeper Soma Korgaokar.
Margao could have taken the lead before the interval but Frehauf Fernandes squandered a glorious opportunity in a one-to-one situation.
Changing over, Goa Velha started attackingly and it took them five minutes to score their second as Nester Dias’ venomous grounder gave Margao custodian Parsappa Harijan no chance.
In the 72nd minute it was all over for Margao as Blake headed in from close range for his brace.
However, four minutes later, Wilfred Gomes made it 3-2 for Margao with a neat finish.
The match was not over yet as Blake was trying hard for his hat-trick and his moment arrived in the dying minutes when he headed in off an assist from Alber Gonsalves.
Blake was adjudged Most Valuable Player and took home a cash prize of Rs 2,500.
