Goa Professional League 2020-21: Round 4

COVID-19 has arrived in the Goa Professional League. FC Goa make it three in a row, while Dempo see off Churchill Brothers. Youth Club of Manora registered their first ever win in the GPL.

Matches postponed

COVID-19 has reared its ugly head in the Goa Professional League as three matches have been postponed.

Sporting Clube de Goa vs Calangute Association from the third round, while Salgaocar FC vs Sesa FA and Panjim Footballers vs Sporting Clube de Goa from the fourth round were postponed.

There may be further postponements with more cases being reported in the state. 

FC Goa win three in a row

FC Goa secured a 2-0 win over Velsao Sports & Cultural Club in the fourth round of the Goa Professional League

With three wins on the trot, the Junior Gaurs have begun to string together impressive displays on the field.

Substitute Romeo Fernandes scored at the hour mark to put the development team into the lead, while Kapil Hoble found the net in the added minutes to confirm the victory for the developmental side.

FC Goa coach Deggie Cardozo will also be pleased that the team managed their first clean sheet of the campaign.

The two teams were given opportunities to score in the first half as the referee awarded penalties at either ends.

In the 37th minute, Velsao defender, Peter Carvalho, brought down Vasim in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Kapil Hoble’s spot kick sailed over the bar.

Two minutes later, Velsao were a penalty-kick when FC Goa centre-back Brian Faria handled the ball in the box. Velsao striker Jesloy Moniz’s shot was kept out by FC Goa custodian Antonio Dylan Da Silva to keep the score at 0-0.

Romeo Fernandes was thrown in the second half and the sub made an immediate impact. Velsao keeper Presley blocked Vasim’s strike from close and Fernandes was presented with an easy tap-in to make it 1-0.

Hoble did get on the scoresheet in injury time. Joybert Almeida’s strike from outside the box was parried away by Presley which allowed an unmarked Hoble to slot the ball home and take all three points.

Sporting made to sweat against Manora

Sporting Clube De Goa secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over the debutants Youth Club of Manora in the Goa Professional League

Marcus Mascarenhas scored in the 84th minutes to secure a second straight victory for the Flaming Orange.

Despite dominating the play in both halves, Sporting players did not have the shooting boots on. Manora’s keeper Alison came up with a series of saves to deny the much-fancied team.

In the second half, Manora should have delivered a sucker punch when a free kick by Nicholas found an unmarked Savio D’Souza in front of goal. The midfielder failed to keep his header on target.

Kunal’s header hit the woodwork while Alison denied Dattaraj from close must to the frustration of Sporting.

It was in the 84th minutes when the deadlock was broken. A long cross by Myron was headed home by Marcus Mascarenhas to give the Flaming Orange three points.

Despite Alison’s heroics, The south Goa side left the match empty handed.

Anil Gaonkar stars for Vasco

Vasco Sports Club registered an easy 2-0 win over Guardian Angel Sports Club in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium.

Going into the match without their main strikers, Joaquim Abranches and Suraj Mondal, it was Anil Gaonkar who shone for the Port Towners.

Vasco were dealt with a double blow as winger Savlon Fernandes and centre-back Neville Albuquerque picked up injuries in the first half.

The nerves were settled when Anil Gaonkar nodded in a cross by Sanwil in first half stoppage time.

Guardian Angel did not threaten the Vasco goal and Gaonkar headed his second of the match in the 68th minute off a cross by Denil.

Vasco custodian Sanju Thapa brilliantly denied Gilbert’s free-kick to keep a clean sheet. At the other end, Anil came close to completing a hattrick but his strike missed the target by inches.

2-0 and Vasco climbed to second place with nine points in four matches.

Dempo play Churchill off the park

Two goals in the first half handed Dempo a deserved win over Churchill Brothersin the Goa Professional League.

Richard Cardoz stunned the I-League team with a hit from 35-yards to beat Debnath Mondal all ends up. 1-0 in the sixth minute.

The Golden Eagles doubled the lead in the 40th minute. A free-kick by Shallum was headed in from close by Gaurav Vaigankar to make it 2-0 at half-time.

Dempo keeper Melroy Fernandes had little to do in the second half barring a save off Rakesh Das as the former I-League team held on to the lead to take all three points.

Youth Club of Manora register first ever win

Youth Club of Manora registered their first ever win in the Goa Professional League with a 2-1 win against Calangute Association.

Nicholas Fernandes (33’) and Jeh Williamson (73’) scored a goal each while Rohan Pednekar pulled a goal back for Calangute side in the 75th minute. Manora had their man Clive Colaco sent off late in the game.

Although dominant in the opening minutes, Calangute were wasteful in front of goal. Manora were more clinical as exemplified by Nicholas Fernandes in the 33rd minute.

A fine freekick from 25-yards left the Calangute goalkeeper, Jeet Gupta, with no chance. 1-0 to the newcomers.

Calangute continued to press after the break but Luis Barreto had little to do.

Manora doubled the lead in the 73rd minute. Aniston put a defence-splitting through ball to Jeh Williamson slotted the ball past Gupta to make it 2-0.

Calangute pulled a goal back immediately in the 75th minute through Rohan Pednekar. There were more nervy moments when Manora’s Clive Colaco was shown a second yellow.

Luis Barreto saved the resulting freekick and kept Manora in the game as the south Goa team held on for the three points.