Goa Professional League Roundup – Matchday 16

Vasco SC registered back-to-back wins in Round 16 of the Goa Professional League, while Calangute Association suffered three defeats in a row. Churchill Brothers remain unbeaten and climb up to the third spot.

Henry on target as Vasco SC get back to winning ways

Vasco Sports Club ended their poor run of games with a 2-0 win over Calangute Association Sports Club 2-0 at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

Henry Ezeh put Vasco ahead in the fifth minute. The Nigerian was unmarked by the Calangute defense when he headed in a cross by Schubert Pereira.

Vasco nearly doubled their lead four minutes later. Schubert Pereira waltzed past two defenders but his shot hit the side netting.

Calangute had to thank their goalkeeper, Sanji Bugde, for keeping the score down by denying Aman Goverkar and Henry Ezeh.

After the break, Calangute’s Mohammad Shahsad and Abdul Fall fluffed their lines to score the equalizer. At the other end, Vasco’s Moises D’Sa’s shot ricocheted off the crossbar.

Calangute nearly nicked a point when Abdoul Fall’s header went over the crossbar for a corner in the 89th minute.

Minutes later, Beneston Barretto wrapped up the match in added time. A Sanwil D’Costa free-kick was cushioned into his path by Henry Ezeh. A low grounder made it 2-0.

Henry Ezeh’s strike earns another three points

Vasco Sports Club registered back-to-back wins after edging past Velsao Sports and Cultural Club 1-0 at Sports Authority of Goa Ground, Utorda.

Vasco’s Nigerian import, Henry Ezeh was on target again. His strike in the 17th minute was enough to take the Port Towners to 17 points from 15 matches. Meanwhile, Velsao SCC is on 11 points.

Costa la vista as Panjim coasts to a 1-0 win

Daryl Costa scored the lone goal in Panjim Footballers SC’s 1-0 win over Calangute Association at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

In a match played primarily in the midfield, Panjim’s keeper Sherwin Da Cunha had to come to Panjim’s rescue in the first half. A fierce shot by Sachidanand Satelkar in the 32nd minute had to be kept out. Satelkar was presented with another opportunity moments before the half time whistle, but his shot went wide.

After the break, Panjim Footballers upped the tempo. A Mahesh Kumar shot went out for a corner after striking a defender in the 48th minute. Snedden Rodrigues had two chances of putting the Capital side ahead but was denied Calangute keeper, Sanji Bugde, at the hour mark.

Panjim Footballers went ahead in the 74th minute. Snedden Rodrigues put Daryl Costa through on goal and the latter lobbed the ball over the onrushing keeper to give his team the lead.

With today’s all-important win Panjim Footballers moved to 11 points from 14 matches while Calangute Association remained on seven points from 12 matches.

Army Men thump the boys from Calangute 

Calangute’s miserable run of games culminated in a 4-1 loss at the hands of Corps of Signals at the Signals Ground, Navelim.

The visiting team fired the first salvo in the third minute courtesy a strike by Abdul Fall. Egged on by the home support, the Signals team leveled terms in the 10th minutes through Pawan T.

The referee had to reach into his pocket to caution Signals’ Berdolai and Calangute goalscorer Abdul Fall for rough play. The teams were tied 1-1 at the break.

After the break, Calangute could not make the best of the chances that fell to their strikers. In the 65th minute, Signals went ahead through Th Roshan Singh.

Once down by a goal, it was tough going for the visitors. L Singh put the game to bed in the 82nd minute before scoring his team’s fourth in added time.

Uttam Rai breaches Panjim Footballers defense

Uttam Rai scored the only goal of the match as Churchill Brothers Sports Club edged past Panjim Footballers at the Rosary Ground, Navelim.

The first half with Uttam Rai and Arvind missed chances for Churchill. At the half-hour mark, Churchill Brothers coach subbed in the senior player, Clencio Pinto in place of U-20 player Arvind Silva.

The second half saw more chances for the Red Machines but the finishing was not up to the mark. Uttam Rai finally connected with Savlon’s pass to put his team ahead in the 58th minute.

Panjim’ Daryl Costa and Prasil K went into the referee’s book for rough play. Clencio Pinto also received a booking for rough play.

The win takes Churchill to third place with 27 points. Panjim remains on 11 points.

Panjim Footballers FC protests

Panjim Footballers FC has filed a protest against Churchill Brothers Sports Club for not complying with the U-20 rule in their matchup.

In a letter addressed to GFA President stated that Churchill Brothers had failed to play their U-20 players for the entire match.

Churchill Brothers were supposed to play U-20 players for 90 minutes which they didn’t and both the players were substituted before they could complete their playing time. Owing to this, the match should be awarded in favor the Panjim club, claimed Panjim Footballers representatives.

FC Bardez-Goan FC match postponed

The Goa Professional League match between Football Club Bardez and Goan Football Club scheduled on January 25, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, has been postponed until further notice, said a GFA press release.