Goa Professional League 2020-21: Round 7 & 8

Salgaocar FC go three points clear at the top of the Goa Professional League while the next five places are separated by a point. Velsao SCC registered back to back wins to climb out of the drop zone.

Sporting Goa’s winning streak comes to a halt

The first match against Sesa Football Academy ended in a 1-1 draw. Marcus Mascarenhas put the Flaming Orange into the lead in the 7th minute. Rohit Totad sent a cross to Gourav Kankonkar in front of the goal.

The lad failed to convert but an unmarked Marcus Mascarenhas made no mistake to make it 1-0 for the Flaming Orange.

When it appeared that Sporting would extend their lead at the top of the table, Sesa pulled level in the last minute of regular time. Kunal Salgaonkar sent a dangerous cross in the box, but Sporting defender Myron Fernandes headed the ball into his own net, making it all square for Sesa.

Salgaocar finally concede a goal

In the next round, a 1-1 draw against Salgaocar FC saw the latter go to the top of the table

Marcus Mascarenhas scored another early goal in the 5th minute. This was the first goal conceded by Salgaocar in the campaign.

Salgaocar pulled one back from the spot-kick in the 29th minute. Steflon D’Costa was brought down in the box by Sporting skipper Alton Vaz. Saeesh Halarnkar sent the keeper the wrong way to make it all square in the 29th minute.

Salgaocar dominated the play, but could not make most of the opportunities as the match ended 1-1.

Sporting dropped to third spot with 14 points.

Steflon D’Costa scores a hat trick as Salgaocar hammer Vasco

In the previous round, Salgaocar FC registered a 4-0 win over Vasco Sports Club in the Goa Professional League at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

Steflon D’Costa opened the tally for the Greens in the 39th minute, while Mark Carvalho doubled the lead in the 47th minute. Steflon scored his second in the 70th minute before completing his hat-trick in the 87th minute.

Salgaocar are now at the top of the table with 17 points.

Velsao register first two wins

Velsao Sports & Cultural Club secured back to back in the Goa Professional League season. A 2-1 win over Panjim Footballers was followed by a 1-0 win Guardian Angel SC.

In the first match, the South Goan club took the lead 39th minute through Jesloy Moniz, while Akram Yadwad came off the bench and scored for Panjim Footballers in the 79th minute even the scores.

Brian Mascarenhas scored with just three minutes to regulation time to book all three points from the match.

In the next round, Velsao stunned Guardian Angel to secure a second consecutive win. Savelon Cardozo scored the all-important goal for the Mormugao side in the 44th minute.

The two wins takes Velsao to seven points off the bottom of the table.

FC Goa go about their business

FC Goa scored a comfortable 2-0 win over Youth Club of Manora in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium.

Goals from Joybert Almeida (37’) and Lalremruata HP (89’) helped the development team bounce back from their loss against Panjim Footballers.

The win was followed by a 1-1 draw against Churchill Brothers.

Serineo Fernandes put FC Goa into the lead in the 7th minute, while Churchill Brothers cancelled it in the 40th minute through Afdal Varikkodan.

After the break, Churchill were reduced to 10 men when Rajender was sent off following a second yellow card for a tackle on Vasim Inamdar.

FC Goa attacked with the numerical advantage but could not break Churchill’s back line.

The Young Gaurs are in fourth place with 13 points.

Churchill Brothers edge Guardian Angel in thriller

In the previous round, Churchill Brothers beat Guardian Angel Sports Club in a see-saw match in the Goa Pro League.

Gilbert Oliveira put Guardian Angel into the lead after converting the spot-kick in the 5th minute. Trijoy Dias evened the score in the 26th minute with a simple tap in.

In the second half, the Red Machines went ahead courtesy an own-goal from William Niasso in the 53rd minute.

Guardian Angel leveled within five minutes when Beneston Barretto found the back of the net. Clinton Niasso came in as a substitute to score the winner for Churchill Brothers in the 83rd minute.

Churchill are on 10 points from eight matches, while Guardian Angel SC are on five points.

Calangute Association stun Dempo Sports Club

Calangute Association stunned Dempo Sports Club with a 2-1 win in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Saturday.

Two goals in the first half, Siddhant Shirodkar (27′) and Kouame Junior (34′) gave the Beachside club the lead. The

Suraj Hadkonkar pulled a goal back for Dempo in the 86th minute. There weren’t any nerves as Calangute could have put the match to bed at the other end, but the two goals were enough.

In the next round, Sesa FA held Calangute to a goalless draw. The Beachside club had a chance to close in the leaders but a resolute Sesa held strong.

Calangute Association are on 13 points from seven matches, while bottom-placed Sesa picked up their third point of the season.

Edvin Viegas the unlikely hero for Dempo

Dempo Sports Club registered a 3-0 win over Youth Club of Manora in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium.

Edwin Viegas headed put Dempo in a 2-0 win at the end of the first half. The defender put away two set pieces in the 17th minute and the first half injury time put the Golden Eagles in the driver’s seat.

Beevan D’Mello came off the bench and scored the third goal late into injury time to round up an easy.

Dempo SC are on 14 points in second place. Youth Club of Manora is on four points – one above Sesa.

Joaquim Abranches scores again for Vasco

Vasco Sports Club came from a goal down to hold Panjim Footballers to a 1-1 draw in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium.

Joyson Gauncar scored in the 10th minute to give an early lead to the Capital City side. A brilliant interplay with Lloyd Cardozo allowed the midfielder to easily shoot past Vasco keeper Risven from close.

Joaquim Abranches, who missed several chances in the match, had a chance to redeem himself when Vasco were awarded a penalty. In the 76th minute Akaram Yadwad pushed Anil in the box giving the referee an easy decision.

Joachim stepped up to the spot to make it 1-1.

The result takes Vasco to 13 points, while Panjim are on seven points.