Goa Professional League 2019-20: Round 12

The top three teams of the Goa Professional League are separated by two points after Round 12. Sporting Clube de Goa and Dempo play out a 1-1 draw, while Churchill Brothers win to close the gap at the top.

At the other end of the table, Vasco SC stitch two wins to climb out of the relegation zone.

All square between Sporting and Dempo

A second half penalty helped Sporting Clube de Goa to hold Dempo Sports Club to a 1-1 draw in the Goa Professional League at Dempo SC Academy Ground.

The two teams took to the field win an aim to secure their position at the top of the league.

Sporting Clube de Goa started with more purpose but it was Dempo who went ahead courtesy a set piece off a corner. Alber Gonsalves profiting from a lax Sporting defense to score in the 25th minute.

The table toppers restored parity five minutes into the second half. A penalty awarded owing to a hand ball allowed Clive Miranda to step up and convert the penalty.

The draw meant that Sporting will go into the Christmas break with a one point lead at the top of the table over Dempo.

Churchill put three past Guardian Angel to go third

Juggling between the I-League and the Goa Pro League matches has not deterred Churchill Brothers from maintaining the pressure on the top two teams.

A 3-0 win over Guardian Angel SC at the Village Panchayat Ground, Nagoa, has taken the Red Machines two points from the top in third position with a match in hand.

The deadlock was broken at the half hour mark, when Shubert’s effort was blocked by Guardian Angel keeper. The loose ball rolled towards Darren, who smashed a half volley to give his side a deserving lead.

In the 75th minute, Churchill Brothers scored a well deserved goal when Ponif Vaz dribbled past the Guardian Angel left back and placed the ball in the bottom left corner to make it 2-0.

A few minutes later, Clencio Pinto the opportunity to wrap up the match when his shot hit the frame of the goal. However, the former Salgaocar FC midfielder made amends by scoring the third for Churchill Brothers to make issues face for Churchill Brothers and seal all three points.

Aaren D’Silva stars for FC Goa

Aaren D’Silva scored a hattrick and set up a goal to enable FC Goa beat Panjim Footballers 4-2 in the Goa Professional League match at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

FC Goa took the lead in the ninth minute through Sezwin Fernandes with an assist from Aaren D’Silva to make it 1-0. In the 24th minute, Aaren made it 2-0 when he slammed home from close.

Panjim Footballers pulled one back through Lloyd Cardozo in the 34th minute. Valmiky with the assist.

FC Goa led 2-1 at the break.

In the second half, FC Goa consolidated their lead in the 46th minute through Aaren, who scored off a rebound after Sezwin’s shot at goal was blocked by the keeper and the ball travelled to former Sesa FA academy product, who scored his second of the day.

Panjim Footballers did not give in. In the 66th minute Joyson pulled another goal back for Panjim making it 2-3.

In the final minutes of the game, Aaren completed his hat-trick and sealed the three points for the defending champions.

The development team of FC Goa are now in fourth place with 20 points, with a game in hand.

Panjim edge past Calangute

Later in the week, Lloyd Cardozo scored in the 88th minute to help Panjim Footballers beat Calangute Association at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

The win takes Panjim Footballers within a point of Calangute Association.

Murgaokar on target as Salgaocar beat Sesa DA

Devendra Murgaokar’s 23rd minute header into the far corner of the nets was enough to allow Salgaocar FC register a solitary goal win over Sesa Football Academy (SFA) in the Goa Professional League match played at Panchayat Grounds at Nagoa in Verna.

Salgaocar FC enjoyed the upper hand for most part of the first session. The all-important goal was a result of a good build up play by Daniel Gomes, who worked his way down the right flank and crossed the ball to Devendra.

The veteran leapt high to send the ball crashing into the nets to beat keeper Nongpoknganba Singh.

Devendra could have added more goals to his tally, but his usual sharp, finishing let him down.

Sesa Football Academy did have their chances only to be thwarted by the efforts of Daniel Gomes and Sanson Pereira.

The second session saw Sesa FA controlling the proceedings for long spells, except in the last fifteen minute when Salgaocar began to dominate the proceedings.

The win helped Salgaocar extend the gap between fifth and sixth place by five points.

Vasco win two in two

Vasco SC registered two victories to climb out of the relegation zone.

Mathew Colaco scored the only goal of the match to beat Calangute Association at the Duler Stadium. Missing a host of chances to take the lead, it was only in the 78th minute that the Port Towners broke the deadlock.

Later in the week, a 3-2 thriller win over Guardian Angel Sports Club at Rosary Ground, Navelim created a five-point gap between themselves and the relegation zone.

Vasco Sports Club won a five-goal thriller against Guardian Angel Sports Club following their 3-2 win in the Goa Professional League match played at Rosary Ground, Navelim, on Tuesday.

Guardian Angel SC struck in the eight minute through Aslon Oliveira off a cross by Bamba Musah. Within the 20th minute it was 1-1. Olumide Adewale curling in free kick from just outside the box.

Another free kick, another goal. Mainoo Dadanivoor striking from a longer range to give Vasco the lead in the 41st minute.

Guardian Angel SC struck back immediately. Joel Barreto’s shot from inside the box, hit the post before entered the nets. 2-2 at half time.

The second half saw end-to-end football. Guardian Angel custodian, Pratheesh Veettil produced a wonderful save to deny Bema’s header from getting past him. Later on, Mathew Colaco shot wide.

At the other end, Bamba Musah should have put the Curchorem side ahead but he mistimed his header off a Leny Fernandes free kick, much to the dismay of his teammates.

Suraj Mondal punished Guardian Angel SC in the 73rd minute which ultimately proved to be the match decider and gave the Port Towners the three points.

Vasco SC are on 13 points in 10th place.