Goa Professional League 2019-20: Round 19

Marcus Mascarenhas on target as Sporting Clube de Goa consolidates the top spot in the Goa Professional League with another win.

Churchill Brothers aim to make a late charge at the title while defending champions FC Goa lose to Guardian Angel SC.

Bottom-placed Velsao’s four-match unbeaten run comes to an end.

Odugwu brace takes Sporting closer to GPL title

Sporting Clube de Goa opened a six-point lead at the top of the Goa Professional League. A 3-0 win over Calangute Association takes the points tally of the Flaming Oranje to 43 points from 19 matches.

The Flaming Oranje took an early lead at the Duler Stadium when Marcus Mascarenhas scored his 13th goal of the campaign when he tapped in Brandon’s cross from the right flank in the third minute.

The score was doubled in the 12th minute when Dattaraj dribbled past a couple of Calangute players and set up Philip Odugwu. The rival keeper had little chance to stop the Nigerian from scoring.

Odugwu scored his second of the match when he headed in George’s cross to make it 3-0.

The second half saw both sides failing to find the back of the net. Sporting Clube’s Alton almost scored the fourth when he dribbled past the entire Calangute defense but shot straight into the keeper’s hands.

With three rounds to go, Sporting will aim to secure maximum points to secure the trophy. Their next opponents are Vasco SC and Sesa FA – two bottom-placed teams.

Plaza on target as Churchill Brothers begins late charge

Churchill Brothers registered a 2-0 win over Panjim Footballers in the Goa Professional League match played at Rosary Ground, Navelim.

The Red Machines, who are now at 33 points from 15 matches are the only team capable of overhauling Sporting Clube de Goa’s points tally.

The crossbar denied the I-League team from breaking the deadlock in the opening 30 minutes. Zama hitting the post twice with his freekicks.

Another freekick by Zama resulted in a goalmouth melee which allowed Clencio Pinto to poke in a loose ball in the 31st minute.

The second half was restricted to the midfield but Panjim Footballers did have an opportunity to level the scores. A freekick found an unmarked Janio to nod in the equalizer, but he missed the open header.

The game was put to bed in the 86th minute when Willis Plaza guided in an Israel Gurung freekick to grab all three points.

Fluent Salgaocar score three against Panjim Footballers

Salgaocar Football Club registered a 3-0 win over Panjim Footballers in the Goa Professional League at the Nagoa Ground.

The Green Brigade went ahead in the 35th minute when the referee awarded a penalty for a handball inside the Panjim box. Saeesh Madan stepped up to convert from the spot.

The second goal was a well-taken goal by Godfrey Mascarenhas. Upon seeing the keeper out of position, Mascarenhas took a long shot from the midfield to make it 2-0 in the 71st minute.

Stephan Satarkar scored his fifth of the season in injury time to make it 3-0.

Veettil the Guardian Angel

Guardian Angel Sports Club secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over defending champions FC Goa in the Goa Professional League match at the Duler Stadium.

Ghanaian striker Bamba Musah and Beneston Barretto scored in the first half for the Angels. While Lalawmpuia scored from a set-piece in the second 45 to reduce the margin for the title holders.

Following a 4-1 loss against Dempo, the South Goa side surged ahead in the 11th minute when Ghanaian striker Bamba Musah nodded in a Gilbert Oliveira corner.

The Junior Gaurs came close to scoring in the 45th minute. Princeton’s shot from distance brought out the best of Guardian Angel custodian, Pratheesh Veettil.

At the other end, Beneston Barretto sent in a curler from outside the box to double the lead.

The second half saw more heroics from Pratheesh to deny FC Goa for long periods. The Angels keeper was fortunate not to get sent off following his tackle on Lalawmpuia outside the box.

The Mizo striker found the back of the net from the resultant freekick to make it 2-1

Guardian Angels were reduced to 10 men in the 88th minute as Musah was sent off for using abusive language against the referee.

However, Pratheesh came up with two brilliant saves in the added time to deny a Serineo Fernandes’ free-kick and Kapil Hoble strike to help his team chalk up three points.

Calangute halt Velsao’s unbeaten run

Calangute Association ended Velsao Sports and Cultural Club’s four-match unbeaten run in the Goa Professional League following a 1-0 win at the Rosary Ground, Navelim.

The Velsao players gave away the ball too often and conceded a couple of free-kicks outside the box.

Alesh Sawant converted one of the set pieces in the 44th minute to make it 1-0.

Velsao SCC had a chance to level the scores in the second half when they were awarded a penalty. Rohan Kamble’s spot-kick went wide of the post.

With this win Calangute move to the eighth spot with 19 points from 16 games. Velsao drops to the bottom with 15 points from 18 matches.