MAPUSA: Portais Sporting Club showed good maturity to overpower Mardol Sports Club 5-2 to get their campaign starting on a winning note in GFA’s Third Division football league, Ilhas zone, at Santo Estevam ground, Thursday.
The winners led 1-0 at half time but were also trailing 2-1 in the second half. However, the team’s determination gave them a comfortable victory at the end of 90 minutes.
Portais did much of the pressing in the opening stages and broke the deadlock in the 33rd minute through a set piece. Savio Monteiro was brought down inside the penalty box by a rival player and the referee pointed out to the spot-kick. Savio himself stepped up and converted the penalty with ease.
Changing over, Mardol worked their way back with the equalizer by Shubham Mardolkar in the 47th minute.
Two minutes later, Shubham Naik put Mardol into the lead. However, some inspiring words by Portais manager Victor Pereira boosted their confidence and soon they restored parity as Savio’s intelligent chip found Govind Mahale, who finished clinically.
Thereafter, Portais dominated the proceedings and scored the third goal in the 85th minute through Savio, who gave finishing touches to a cross from Peregrino.
Etesh Halankar then scored a quick brace in the 89th and 90th minute to round off the tally.
Merces Club scored a 3-1 victory over Amaravati Sports Club in the Group C match at Santa Cruz ground.
After a barren first half, Merces Club opened the scoring through a Gauresh Faterpekar strike, which entered the goal after hitting the crossbar.
Gauresh doubled the lead for Merces completing his brace after nicely placing the ball into the nets.
Rahul Naik made it 3-0 for Merces when he intercepted a clearance by the rival keeper and coolly placed the ball into the unguarded goal.
Amaravati Sports Club reduced the margin in the 88th minute through Pradeep Dessai to make it 1-3.
Kalpesh Volvoikar was cautioned by referee Celvin Fernandes.
In an earlier Group C matches, Sateri Sports Club scored a narrow 2-1 win over Bhagawati Sports Club.
CDJ Ribandar played a 1-1 draw against Santo Estevam Sports Club.
Sumay Bhagat scored in the 8th minute to give Santo Estevam Sports Club a 1-0 lead. Raju Kalem restored parity for CDJ Ribandar in the 66th minute.
Referee Yeswant Parab cautioned Domingos Fernandes and Ashley Fernandes of CDJ Ribandar.
At Dr Remigio Pinto ground, Taleigao, Ronit Sports Club downed Crown Club, Santa Cruz 2-1 in the Group B match.
Ronit surged ahead in the 14th minute through a strike by Hilary Vas.
Later, in the first half, Hilary scored his brace and consolidated the lead for Ronit to make it 2-0.
Crown Club reduced the margin through Keith D’Souza in the second half.
South result: Velsao S & CC (Dexter Fernandes 15’ 51’, Richard Rodrigues 39’, 85’, 87’, and Rajat Naik 66’) bt PY Association Consua (Menenio D’Sa 6’, Samsn Cruz 77’) 6-2.
