Goa Professional League 2019-20: Round 8 Roundup

Sporting Clube de Goa were the big winners of Round 8 of the Goa Pro League. Dempo lead the table despite dropping points against Vasco. Calangute Association, in third place, continue their impressive run in the league.

Churchill Brothers are winless in three matches, while FC Goa finally register a win after four matches.

Vasco hold Dempo to a goalless draw

A resilient Vasco Sports Club dug deep to hold Dempo Sports Club to a goalless draw in the eighth round match of the Goa Professional League at the Duler Stadium.

Vasco’s Amit Biswas was the busier of the two goalkeepers, especially with a vital save off Aman Govekar’s header in the first half.

After the break, Mathew Colaco missed out on a rare chance for Vasco. With only the keeper to beat, the U-20 shot wide, much to the disbelief of his teammates and the dugout.

Dempo threw in Desmond Pereira, Suraj Hadkonkar and Beevan D’Mello to find the winner, only to be met with a resilient Vasco defense and an inspired Amit Biswas in goal.

In the final 10 minutes, Suraj Hadkonkar almost grabbed full three points for Dempo. The substitute’s thunderous strike hit the top post with the keeper stranded to his spot.

In the end, the Golden Eagles had to be content with a draw. As for Vasco, it was a vital point.

Dempo remain at the top of the league table with 19 points. They face Churchill Brothers in the next round.

Unbeaten Sporting Clube see off Panjim with ease

Sporting Clube de Goa continued their unbeaten run with a 3-0 win over Panjim Footballers in the Goa Professional League at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

The win takes them to second spot 17 points, they also have the best defensive record in the league with only two goals conceded.

Panjim Footballers created chances to put Sporting Clube under pressure. Goalkeeper Melroy had to come up with a couple of saves to keep the score down.

The second half was all about Sporting Clube de Goa. The Flaming Oranje opened the scoring in the 48th minute. Cajetan Fernandes converted from the spot after Philip was brought down by Janio Fernandes.

The match was wrapped up in the final ten minutes. Akeraj Martins set up Marcus Mascarenas, who found the back of the net in the 82nd minute.

Martins got his name on the scoresheet in the closing minutes to make it 3-0. 

Up next for Sporting Clube is Vasco FC at home.

Sesa come from behind to beat the Armymen

Sesa FA came from behind to beat Corps of Signals 2-1 in the Goa Professional League match at MTR Ground, Navelim.

Signals winger, Nim Tshering Bhutia, struck in the 25th minute, heading in a corner delivered by Solomon from close range.

The scores were leveled in the 38th minute through Shajam. A sweetly struck volley from a cross from Olvin Cardozo made it 1-1.

The winner came in the 67th minute. Caitano’s lobbed pass from SFA half towards Olvin beat the Signals offside trap. The striker dribbled past the keeper to take the lead.

The visitors kept possession of the ball in the final quarter of the game and sealed all three points.

Sesa FA will host Panjim Footballers in the next match, while Signals will welcome bottom-placed Velsao.

Churchill winless in 3 matches after draw with Salgaocar

Salgaocar Football Club held Churchill Brothers to a 1-1 draw by in the Goa Professional League at Rosary ground, Navelim, on Thursday.

Playing at home, Churchill Brothers, started the match on the front foot with Lalkhawpuimawia and Jovel Martins testing the Salgaocar FC defense.

The visitors could have scored from a counter. Devendra’s pass across the face of the goal missed the boots of a Salgaocar player.

After the break, Churchill Brothers scored from their first attempt. Israel Gurung’s pinpoint cross to Clencio Pinto was headed into the far corner to make it 1-0 in the 47th minute.

The Green Brigades responded with an equalizer in the 53rd minute. Skipper Sanson Pereira’s curling left-foot strike from a free-kick beat Churchill goalie Jaffar Mondal all ends up.

Both teams created opportunities to take the lead, but the best chance fell to Israel Gurung who missed an open net. At the other end, Mondal had to deal with Devendra Murgaonkar’s efforts at goal.

In the end, both teams had to settle for a draw.

Salgaocar will host Guardian Angel SC in the next match.

Calangute Association’s impressive run continues

Calangute Association Sports Club registered a comfortable 3-1 win over Velsao Sports & Cultural Club at the Duler Stadium.

With this win, Calangute Association has 15 points while Velsao SCC stay on just three points.

The first half was dominated by Calangute with their series of attacks.

Daryl Costa put Calangute ahead in the 16th minute with a low grounder after being teed up Jobern Cardozo.

Four minutes later, Moises D’Sa’s 25-yard strike found the back of the net. Calangute were purring at 2-0.

After the break, Velsao showed more urgency in their attack and were rewarded with a goal. Inacio Colaco’s corner found an unmarked Bersal Viegas, whose header creept into the goal. 2-1 in the 59th minute.

Velsao continued to keep up with the attacking game, but the fate of the match was sealed when Gourav Kankonkar’s solo goal made it 3-1 to the home team.

Calangute Association will look to continue their good form when they face FC Goa in the next match.

FC Goa end 4-match winless streak

FC Goa ended their four-match winless streak with a 2-1 win against Guardian Angels at Rosary Ground, Navelim.

Aaren D’Silva nearly opened the scoring for the Gaurs in the opening minute when his header hit the crossbar. A few minutes later, another header by the youngster was parried away by Guardian Angel SC keeper Pratheesh Veettil.

The home team made FC Goa pay for the missed opportunities when a counter-attack in the 17th allowed Ghanian Bamba Musah to round off Antonio Dylan Silva and give Guardian Angel the lead.

The second half saw FC Goa on the ascendency with Nesto Dias hitting the bar in the 51st minute. 10 minutes later the scores were level. Sweden Fernandes headed in a Kapil Hoble cross from the right.

The winner was scored – under fortunate circumstances – came in the 74th minute.

Lalnuntluanga Bawitlung’s innocuous delivery in the box was intercepted by James Fernandes. Much to the dismay of the Guardian Angel defender, the ball rolled into the net.

2-1, the final scoreline as FC Goa chalk up a win after four matches.