Goa Professional League Roundup – Matchday 11

Goan FC continued their unbeaten run with a 3-0 win over Vasco Sports Club in Round 11 of the Goa Professional League. Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa registered big wins, while Velsao SCC stunned Guardian SC.

Goan FC continue their unbeaten run

Goan FC strengthened their lead at the top of the table with a 3-0 win over Vasco Sports Club in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

The Young Gaurs took control of the match early on and should have been in the lead, but for the heroics of Vasco goalkeeper Sanju Thapa.

An attempt by Liston Colaco was brilliantly pushed for a corner by the diving keeper. Thapa was once again brought into action as he saved an attempt from Lalawmpuia.

In the second half, Goan FC got the breakthrough goal in the 61st minute. A cross by Lalawmpuia was placed by Liston past Sanju Thapa.

10 minutes later, Imran Khan who found the back of the net, courtesy an assist by Schubert.

Another 10 minutes later, the Young Gaurs sealed the three points. A pass from Imran Khan split the Vasco defense. Lalawmpuia outfoxed Thapa and slotted the ball into the unguarded net.

With the win, the Young Gaurs are on 26 points, while Vasco SC is on 10 points.

Salgaocar FC drub Panjim Footballers

Salgaocar Football Club scored a comfortable 4-0 win over Panjim Footballers at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

The Flaming Oranje started the match with an aim to gather three points and stay in contention with the table toppers. For Panjim, it was a quest to stay out of relegation spots.

Panjim Footballers had the first crack at the opponent’s goal in the 1st minute, when Jaison Fernandes Daryl Costa rattled the crossbar.

Salgaocar took the lead in the 19th minute from a counter-attack. Andrus John sent the ball across the face of the goal from the right, allowing Ronaldo Oliveira to tap in the opener.

Five minutes later, Andrus John provided another assist. Samuel Costa slotting in the second goal past Panjim keeper Sherwin Da Cunha.

Panjim had a chance to reduce the margin before the half-time break. First, an attempt by Lokesh Talwar was blocked by Salgaocar FC keeper Jaison. Minutes later, Chandan Gawas could not direct a free header goalwards

Five minutes into the second half, Saurabh Patel headed a Sanson Pereira cross to make it 3-0.

Some woeful finishing from Panjim Footballers helped the Salgaocar keeper Jaison lead a charmed life. Rowllin Alemida wrapped up the match in the 68th minute, his strike from the 6-yard box was deflected into the net.

Salgaocar FC is in fourth place with 20 points, while Panjim Footballers are in 10th place with four points.

Victorino Fernandes at the double as Sporting Clube thrash Bardez

Victorino Fernandes and Marcus Mascarenhas scored the braces in the second half as Sporting Clube de Goa hammered Bardez FC by a 5-1 margin in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Monday afternoon.

The main talking point of the first half hour was a rash tackle by Melroy Fernandes, on Ong Lepcha. The Sporting goalkeeper was lucky to get away with a yellow card. The resulting freekick by Baichung Bhutia (Yes, Baichung Bhutia,) did not hit the target.

In the 35th minute, Marcus Mascarenhas failed to hit the target from six yards. A few minutes later, Cajetan dribbled his way past the Bardez defense but his shot was blocked at the cost of a corner kick.

Bardez nearly opened the scoring in the 51st minute when Ong Lepcha’s efforts rebounded off the post.

In the next minute, Sporting’s Egyptian recruit Fady Riad teed up Marcus Mascarenhas, who chipped the advancing keeper to give his team the lead.

Bardez equalized within four minutes. A Richard Cardozo corner was not cleared by the Sporting defense, which allowed Babun Das to equalize from close range.

Alton Vaz put Sporting ahead a few minutes later. A header by Marcus was parried away by Royal Basumatory, only for Vaz to slot the ball into an empty net.

Victorino Fernandes got his name in the score sheet by scoring in the 78th and 83rd minute. Marcus completed the rout by scoring his brace in the closing stages of the match.

Sporting Clube is in second place with 25 points, while Bardez FC is in ninth place with six points.

Late goal helps Velsao SCC stun Guardian Angel FC

A late strike by Laiwang Bohham helped Velsao Sports and Cultural Club stun Guardian Angel SC at the Rosary Grounds, Navelim.

Guardian Angel had the opportunity to score in the first half. Perryson Rebello fluffing his chances in the six-yard-box with only Velsao keeper Presley Mascarenhas to beat.

Velsao striker Nima Lepcha was the thorn in the flesh for Guardian Angel defense, but an injury forced him out of the game. He was replaced by Laiwang Bohham, who scored the winner.

In the 83rd minute, a cross from the right by Remedios Vaz found Laiwang Bohham. The substitute lashed in and gave Guardian Angel SC keeper Ozen Silva with little time to react.

With this win, Velsao Sports and Cultural Club leapfrogged Guardian Angel to sixth place with 11 points, while Guardian Angel SC is in the seventh spot with 10 points.