Goa Professional League Roundup – Matchday 12

Goan FC remains at the top of the Goa Professional League following a hard-fought win over Panjim Footballers. Salgaocar FC suffered a shock defeat, while Churchill Brothers failed to register a win.

Dempo overcomes Bardez challenge

Dempo SC registered a 2-0 win over Bardez FC in the Goa Professional League at the Duler Stadium.

Bardez FC had an early opportunity to score in the 6th minute when Rungsing Muinao found winger Aniket Agarwadekar in front of goal. The midfielder’s shot went wide.

Dempo SC had an opportunity in the 13th minute when a Jessel Carneiro cross found Beevan in the box, but the striker could not control his header from close as the ball went over the crossbar.

The Jessel-Beevan combo continued to trouble the Bardez defense, as goalkeeper Royal Basumatory was called into action at the half-hour mark.

Bardez FC skipper Cho Lepcha nearly put his side ahead seconds before the halftime whistle. His strike from outside the box rebounded off the crossbar.

After the break, Dempo SC scored within two minutes. A Joaquim Abranches cross was headed towards Beevan in the goalmouth area where the striker had a simple tap-in to put his side ahead.

At the hour mark, Jaison Vaz replaced Beevan. The substitute striker scored with his first touch. A through pass by Kirtikesh found Jessel in the box, who cut it back to Jaison. The substitute had a simple tap-in from close. A few minutes later, a shot by Abranches rebounded off the crossbar.

Bardez had a chance to reduce their margin in the last fifteen when their winger Richard Cardoz crossed the ball to Ong Lepcha in the goalmouth, but the forward failed to connect from close range.

Goan FC made to sweat by Panjim Footballers

Goan FC continued their grip on the top of the Goa Professional League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Panjim Footballers at the Duler Stadium. The development side of FC Goa remains unbeaten in the league.

The Young Gaurs created their first chance in the 10th minute when Saviour Gama headed in a cross from Brian, but it was collected easily by Panjim keeper Massom Ali.

In the 31st minute, the league leaders were reduced to ten men when a reckless tackle by Nestor on Panjim’s Prasil Kankonkar resulted in a red card for the midfielder.

Despite being a man down, Goan FC went ahead in the 40th minute. Aaren’s cross from the right was met by Saviour Gama’s header.

After the break, the Goan FC continued to dominate the proceedings as Panjim keeper Massom Ali kept his side in the game.

On crossing over, Goans had a chance to consolidate their lead in the early minutes when Liston Colaco’s free-kick was passed to Aaren in the goalmouth by Brian, but the shot failed to hit the target.

Goan FC had another opportunity to inflate their lead in the 69th minute when Liston sent in a cross to Sarineo in the box but the winger failed to capitalize from inside the box.

Goan FC is on the top position with 29 points, while Panjim is struggling at the 12th spot with just four points.

Corps of Signals shock Salgaocar

Corps of Signals shocked Salgaocar FC 2-0 at 3MTR grounds, Rawanfond, Navelim. The win pushed the Armymen out of the relegation zone, while Salgaocar would rue the opportunity to stay in touching distance of the table toppers.

Corps of Signals began the match on the front foot, created half chances to surge ahead, but for poor finishing from their strikers.

In the 15th minute, the Signals team did the unthinkable: They took the lead. A cross into the Salgaocar box fell to Harshad Thube. The striker pounced on the opportunity and blasted the ball past Jason D’Mello to give his team the lead.

Salgaocar FC failed to respond to the early goal. As the Signals team to continue to attack, Salgaocar played on the counter but their forays into the opposition half failed to materialize.

In the 59th minute, Corps of Signals doubled their lead. Pawan Thakur with a deft placement off a pass from Harshad Thube.

With this win, Corps of Signals climb out of the bottom spot with six points, while Salgacoar FC is on the fourth position with twenty points.

Churchill Brothers held by Guardian Angel SC

Guardian Angel SC fought back twice to draw the match against Churchill Brothers SC at Rosary grounds, Navelim.

Churchill Brothers went into the lead in the 37th minute. A free-kick from defender Nickson Castanha on top of the 18-yard box giving Guardian Angel SC keeper Ozen Silva little chance to keep that ball out.

Guardian Angel had a couple of chances in the first half and made their I-League rivals pay with one of them in injury time.

A free kick by Nicholas Rodrigues hit a Churchill defender. The ball deflected to Alvito Miranda who tapped the ball in as past Churchill keeper Kunzang Bhutia.

Post interval, Churchill Brothers went 2-1 up via a free kick after Chester Paul was brought down by a Guardian Angel defender. Nickson Castanha stepped up to the ball and put his side up in the 53rd minute.

While up by a goal, Churchill Brothers had a chance to inflate the tally when the Red Machines were awarded a penalty but Uttam Rai shot wide from the spot.

The match then evoked keen interest with Guardian Angel pressing hard and their moment of glory came off when their striker Sunny Fernandes was fouled by Churchill’s keeper Kunzang Bhutia.

Referee David Rebello promptly pointed to the penalty spot and Nicholas Rodrigues bulged the nets to level the score 2-2 in the 65th minute.

Churchill Brothers are at 14 points in fifth place, while Guardian Angel SC are on 11 points in sixth place.