MAPUSA: A fine brace by Yogesh Kadam helped Calangute Association to get the better of their rivals Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim 3-1 in the GFA’s Professional League match, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Thursday.
Calangute now have 15 points from nine matches while Cavelossim linger on 14 points from 11 matches.
Both the sides matched each other’s strengths thereby restricting play to the midfield for major duration of the first session.
Buoyed by the vociferous support gathered to support them, Calangute shot into the lead in the 18th minute when Pedro Gonsalves set up Yogesh Kadam inside the 18-yard box, who did well to drill the ball home, 1-0.
After a couple of missed opportunities by either side, Cavelossim managed to net in the equaliser when Suraj Hadkonkar scored from the penalty spot after referee Mario Pereira found Calangute’s Kouame M Bra Joaeph Yao guilty of handling the ball inside the danger zone, 1-1.
The goal seemed to lift the spirits of the Cavelossim side who came with two vicious attacks but Calangute keeper managed to block Joshua Vaz long range effort and then swayed away Suraj’s curling free-kick.
At the other end, Calangute’s Salim Mohammad displayed some brilliant footwork to get the better of three Cavelossim defenders and unleashed a low strike which brushed the legs of stopper back Cresson Antao and the ball rolled towards the opportunistic Yogesh Kadam who without any further deny slammed it into the back of the nets, 2-1.
On resumption of play Calangute started off aggressively where in the 49th minute Sunny Fernandes charged into the Cavelossim citadel and sent a tantalizing low pass to Pedro Gonsalves whose powerful shot ricocheted off the side post.
They did not allow their rivals any time to settle in and came back attacking in the next minute itself when Runall Shirodkar got hold of the ball from Yogesh Kadam and sent in a fine placement which had no answer from the Cavelossim keeper, 3-1.
In the 75th minute of play, Josley Dias almost scored the fourth goal for Calangute, however he was timely dispossessed by Cavelossim defender Joaquim Carvalho.
In the 85th minute of play, Calangute keeper Melroy managed to fist away Suraj’s right footer and then in the injury minutes Cavelossim’s Daulat Dessai set up Mathew Colaco whose shot was cleared away by Calangute defender Melvin Lobo.
