Goa Professional League 2019-20: Round 11 Roundup

Sporting Clube de Goa fail to extend their lead at the top of the Goa Professional League after their 10-match unbeaten run comes to an end.

Dempo is in second place, while FC Goa continue to climb up the league table. The struggles of the bottom-placed trio of Velsao SCC, Vasco SC, and Corps of Signals continue.

Sporting remain on top of the GPL

It was a mixed week for Sporting Clube de Goa in the Goa Professional League.

The rescheduled match against FC Goa ended 2-0 in favor of the Flaming Orange at the Duler Stadium.

Sporting started the match on the front foot and deservedly went into the lead when a short corner found Philip Odogwu. The Nigerian’s low grounder beat FC Goa goalkeeper Dylan Da Silva all ends up in the 13th minute.

Melroy Fernandes was instrumental in keeping the scoreline down for Sporting. The goalkeeper denied Lalawmpuia, Sweden Fernandes, and Christy Davis to go into the break with the advantage.

While FC Goa failed to take their chances, Sporting did not miss. Marcus Mascarenhas who doubled the lead by guiding in a cross by Stendly Fernandes from the left.

2-0 in the 76th minute and there was no way back for the development side of FC Goa.

Sesa ends Sporting’s unbeaten run

A few days later, Sesa FA put a dent on Sporting’s unbeaten campaign with a 1-0 win at the Sesa Academy Ground on Tuesday afternoon.

Philip Odogwu came close to opening the scoring in the scoring when his strike hit the post in the 13th minute. More chances followed, but the Sporting team was off target.

The second half saw more of the same, where Sporting attacked for most parts but failed to hit the target.

Sesa FA punished their opponents in the 71st minute. A long-range strike by Domnic Soares found the back of the net to stun the league leaders.

Goal highlights from yesterday's win over Sporting Clube De Goa.

Watch the build-up and a long-range shot finding back of the net!#IndianFootball #GFA #football pic.twitter.com/qySUHOoCgF

— Sesa Football Academy (@VedantaFootball) December 11, 2019

1-0 and Sporting Clube de Goa’s unbeaten run has come to an end.

FC Goa climb up the table

Despite the loss to Sporting Clube de Goa, the Young Gaurs registered two crucial wins in the week.

The first match saw FC Goa beat Churchill Brothers 4-1 at the Duler Stadium.

The development side of FC Goa took the lead in the 4th minute when Sweden Fernandes headed in a cross by skipper Leander D’Cunha.

Churchill Brothers fluffed their lines when it comes to scoring in the first half. The Red Machines did score the equalizer in the 56th minute through Mauvin Borges.

The Mizo duo of Lalawmpuia and Lalnuntluanga combined to restore FC Goa’s lead in the 67th minute. The latter slotting a brilliant through ball to hit the back of the net.

Two goals in two minutes finished off the encounter. Flan Gomes scoring in the 78th minute, while Aaren D’Silva made it 4-1 the next minute.

Vasco’s misery continues

A 4-0 win over Vasco FC propelled FC Goa to the fourth spot.

The Port Towners were without a win in eight matches and the FC Goa piled on the misery on the opposition.

The deadlock was broken in the 24th minute when Aaren D’Silva tapped in a pass from Flan Gomes. The second goal came in the 39th minute after Vasco keeper Sanju Thapa did not deal with a low cross by Sweden Fernandes. Vincy capitalized on the mistake to make it 2-0.

Nestor Dias scored a brace in the second half with goals in the 69th and 83rd minutes to register 4-0 win.

Beevan D’Mello break Armymen’s defense

A late, late goal by Beevan D’Mello snapped Dempo SC’s three-match winless run.

Playing against Corps of Signal at the 3 MTR, Rawanfond Grounds, Navelim, Dempo should have won the match in the first half.

Veteran striker Joaquim Abranches should have converted at least one of the chances that had come his way. Both teams went into the break with Dempo having dominated the match

The balance of play tilted towards the favor of the Corps of Signals in the second half. The Armymen put the Dempo defense under pressure.

Mathew, the Dempo skipper, was sent off at the end of the 90 minutes following a second yellow card.

The match was heading towards a goalless draw when Goa veteran Beevan D’Mello scored a great goal in the fifth minute of injury time.

Coming in as a substitute, D’Mello controlled a lofted pass from Pedro Gonsalves, turned and unleashed a left-footer into the far corner of Corps of Signals nets. 1-0 and Dempo SC are back to winning ways.

With 23 points from eleven matches, Dempo move up to second place.

Salgaocar continue to struggle away from home

Corps of Signals overcame their disappointing last-minute loss with a 1-1 draw against Salgaocar at the 3 MTR Signals grounds, Rawanfond.

Salgaocar took the lead in the first-half injury time. A long lofted ball by Selwyn Miranda found Chaitan Komarpant, who tapped the ball to the far end.

The Armymen equalized in the 60th minute. Solomon Khongsai’s cross was met by Ankit Singh who beat the Salgaocar FC keeper Nora Fernandes from close.

Salgaocar were reduced to ten men in the 85th minute following a red card to their defender Daniel Gomes, who deliberately fouled Ankit Singh. Fortunately for them, the opposition could not make the mosts of the numerical advantage as the match ended in a draw.

Later in the week, Salgaocar was involved in yet another draw. An encounter which ended goalless against Panjim Footballers. The Green Brigade are yet to win away from home.

Salgaocar FC have now collected 17 points in eleven matches while Signals have 8 points from 12 matches.

Guardian Angel saved by Gilbert Oliveira

A brace scored by Gilbert Oliveira helped Guardian Angel SC beat Velsao Sports and Cultural Club 2-1 at Rosary Grounds, Navelim.

Velsao SCC took the lead Ronaldo Coelho in the 10th minute and thereafter Guardian Angel’s Gilbert Oliveira scored twice to snatch a scintillating win for his team, finding the mark in the 44th and 54th minutes.

Guardian Angel SC are in eighth place with 14 points, while Velsao are at the bottom of the table with seven.