Goa Professional League Roundup – Matchday 14

Salgaocar FC registered crucial wins to put them in the hunt for the Goa Professional League title. Churchill Brothers thrashed Panjim Footballers, while Calangute Association and Corps of Signals picked up wins to keep them above the relegation zone.

No brotherly love from Churchill at Panjim

Churchill Brothers Sports Club outclassed Panjim Footballers 6-1 in the Goa Professional League played at the Duler Stadium.

The Red Machines opened their tally in the 6th minute. A short corner was curled in by Nicholas and Umesh tapped the ball home from close to put his side ahead.

Churchill doubled their lead two minutes later. A corner by Gilbert was headed goalward by Nicholas and Wolfe directed it in the goal by with his chest to make it 2-0.

It was all Churchill as they extended their lead further in the 23rd minute. Suraj Singh heading in a Gilbert cross. Wolfe scored his second of the match in the 35th minute with another tap-in.

In the second half, striker Clencio Pinto came in for Wolfe and scored within 10 seconds of coming on. The substitute finished the move after snatching the ball from a Panjim defender and make it 5-0 for the Red Machines.

A few minutes later, Clencio Pinto scored his second of the match with a clinical finish to make it 6-0 in the 56th minute.

Shortly after the hour mark, Panjim managed to pull on back when Joyson Gaunkar tapped-in to reduce the margin for the capital side.

Panjim’s miserable day out got worse in the 83rd minute. Their playmaker Vallmiky was sent off by the referee for using foul language towards the official.

Churchill remains unbeaten in the league, but five wins and six draws, they are in 5th place with 21 points. Panjim is marginally out of the relegation zone by one point.

Salgaocar thrash Calangute black and green

Salgaocar FC hammered Calangute Association 5-0 in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium.

Calangute was without a win in five matches while Salgaocar lost to Corps of Signals in the previous round.

Salgaocar opened the scoring in the 11th minute. Ribhav Sardessai slotting the ball into the net after a low cross from Rollwin to make it 1-0.

Salgaocar doubled their lead in the very next minute. The Calangute defense was pondering on making a clearance and Ronaldo snatched the ball from the defender and calmly sent it into the nets to make it 2-0 in the 12th minute.

Ribhav scored his second his brace in the 24th minute, nodding the ball home from a cross by Ronaldo.

Just before the halftime break, Godfray put the Green Brigade on the driver’s seat to make it 4-0.

Early in the second session, Devendra Murgaonkar found Rollwin with a through pass as the latter rounded the keeper and sent the ball into the empty net to make it 5-0 in the 47th minute.

Salgaocar took their foot off the gas and controlled the rest of the game to take their points tally to 23 points. Calangute is at the bottom with four points.

Guardian Angel fail to spot Signal’s comeback

Corps of Signals reduced a two-goal deficit against Guardian Angel Sports Club to earn a point in a 2-2 draw in the Goa Professional League at the Rosary Ground, Navelim.

Corps of Signals created a couple of openings in the first half, Joel dia failing to nod in a lob from Nim Tshering Bhutia in the 18th minute.

After dominating the opening exchanges, Signals had a chance to go ahead in the 20th minute. The referee pointing to the spot after spotting a handball in the Guardian penalty box.

The shot taken by Kuldeep Singh was saved by Guardian Angel goalkeeper Ozen Silva. Two minutes later, but Kuldeep Singh failed to beat the Silva in a one-to-one situation.

In the 28th minute, Guardian Angel landed a sucker punch when Joaquim Carvalho beat Vikramjit Singh with a clinical finish. James Fernandes with the assist. 1-0 to Guardian Angel.

After the break, Guardian Angel doubled the lead in the 50th minute. A free kick by Nicholas Rodrigues brushed the hands of goalkeeper Vikramjit Singh before the ball rolled into the net.

Pawan Kumar pulled one back for the Signals team in the 64th minute. Picking up the ball from Suklab Bordolai, he lobbed the Guardian Angel goalkeeper to make it 2-1.

Corps of Signals upped the tempo and were rewarded in the 75th minute. Midfielder Laireilakan Singh hit the ball on the crossbar and into the ball, giving Ozen Silva no chance.

Towards the end of the match, the goalscorer, Laireilakan Singh, was given his marching orders for dangerous play.

Guardian Angel SC are on 16 points, while the Army Men are on 7.

Calangute put two past Guardian’s custodian

After suffering a hammering at the hands of Salgaocar FC, Calangute Association bounced back to register a 2-0 win over Guardian Angel Sports Club at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

In a match played primarily in the midfield, both teams were restricted to a handful of chances. Calangute had the first chance to score. A header by Diptesh from a cross delivered by Akash failed to trouble the Angels keeper.

At the other end, the Calangute keeper, Savio Paes, had to make a sharp stop off a corner delivery. Micky Vaz with the header.

The second session started in the same fashion as the first half. However, in the 62nd minute, Calangute got a break.

Mohammed Shashad brushed aside two defenders before drilling a daisy cutter from inside the box. The ball deflected off Angels defender James Fernandes giving Guardian custodian little chance to react.

The match was put to bed by Runal Shirodkar in the 75th minute. A through ball by Dominic was met by a deft placement to give Calangute a much-needed win and climb out of the relegation zone.

The win takes Calangute to seven points, out of the relegation zone. Guardian Angel FC are in mid-table with 16 points.

Corps of Signals shut down Bardez FC

Corps of Signals eased past Bardez Football Club 3-1 at the 3MTR Ground, Madgaon. Following their spirited showing against Guardian Angel SC, the Army Men was all over the visitors in the second half.

However, Liston gave the north Goa side a surprise lead in the 41st minute. Crossing over it was all Signals story as they scored two goals in the span of two minutes.

Harshad Thube leveled terms at the hour mark and Pawan Thakur put them ahead in the very next minute.

Bardez FC tried to find the leveler but they couldn’t get past and in their bid to attack they conceded the third in the 81st minute when Vishnu Chhetri scored the team’s third.

The Signals team are on 11 points, while Bardez are in six points, one above the relegation zone.

Salgaocar leave it late to beat Velsao SCC

Salgaocar Football Club required a 90th-minute strike to registered a thrilling 4-3 win over Velsao Sports and Cultural Club at the SAG ground, Utorda.

Velsao SCC took the game to Salgaocar by scoring in the 11th minute through Josley Moniz. The striker was left unmarked in a dangerous position and easily slotted the ball past Salgaocar keeper Jason D’Mello.

Salgaocar FC leveled at the half hour mark. Midfielder Samuel Costa, who received a through pass struck past the Velsao keeper, Presley Mascarenhas.

The equalizer changed the tempo of the match as Salgaocar FC pressed on and took the lead in the 38th. A good build-up from the middle of the pitch led to striker Devendra Murgaonkar tapping the ball in to make it 2-1.

Upon resumption, Velsao SCC displayed a higher level of intensity which resulted in the equalizing in the 53rd minute. Substitute Laiwang Bohham scoring from the spot, after Salgaocar was penalized for handling the ball inside the penalty area.

Velsao striker Joseph Pereira struck in the 72nd minute to put Salgaocar FC on the back foot. However, But their young blood didn’t give up till the end as they netted the equalizing goal in the 80th minute Denil Rebello.

The goal-fest had one final twist when Andries John found the mark in the 90th minute to break Velsao hearts.

Salgaocar jumps to third spot with 26 points, while Velsao are in mid-table with 11 points.

Transfer News

Goan FC winger, Imran Khan, has joined Gokulam Kerala on loan for the remainder of the I-League season. The versatile Manipuri had joined the Gaurs in May 2018 after a stint in the 2nd division I-League with Fateh Hyderabad.