Goa Professional League 2020-21: Round 9 & 10

A late, late update. So late that in the interim the national team lost heavily in a friendly and prompted the debate whether the country should let people of Indian origin to don the blue jersey. 

Forget grassroot level football or the earnest attempts of developing players in the lower league. Let’s paper over the cracks with some imports, shall we?

Nonetheless, the 2020/21 Goa Professional League is reaching its conclusion as an unbeaten Sporting Clube de Goa are at the top of the table.

All square at the top of the table clash

A hat-trick from Uttam Rai (8′, 10′, 29′) was not enough to help Dempo pick up three points in the 4-4 draw against Sporting Clube de Goa.  

Goals from Gaurav Kankonkar (5′ 68′ ), Kunal Kundaikar (31′), Joel Colaco (61′) bagged the crucial point for the table toppers. Desmon Pereira (27′) was the other goal scorer for Dempo.

The result meant that Sporting go into the final round at the top with 20 points, while Dempo are second with 18.

Sporting Clube de Goa climb to the top

Two draws and a win took Sporting Clube de Goa to the top of the table.

Goals from Rohit Totad (19’), Akeraj Martins (40’, 45’), Philip Odogwu (50’) and Gaurav Kankonkar (68’) in the 5-0 victory over Panjim put Sporting at the top of the table.

Sporting should have picked up three pints against FC Goa. Clive Miranda’s penalty in injury time should have broken the deadlock, only for Dylan’s heroics to pick up a point for his side.
Dylan’s heroics help FC Goa earn a point

A goal in injury time allowed Calangute to come from behind to draw level. Sporting broke the deadlock through Philip Odogwu in the 40th minute. After the break, Calangute drew level in the 53rd minute through Sidharth Kundaikar.

Marcus Mascarenhas put Sporting ahead in the 67th minute, but Kundaikar denied Sporting the win with the leveller in the fourth minute of injury time.

Salgaocar knocked off their perch

Back to back losses knocked Salgaocar off the top of the Goa Professional League table. A 1-0 loss against Panjim Footballers in Round 9 allowed other teams to close in.

The match-winning goal was scored in the 81st minute Joyson headed in a cross from Cyril Dias to give Panjim the three points.

In the next round, a hat-trick from Beneston Barretto (1’, 53’, 80’) gave Guardian Angel Sports Club a 3-1 win over Salgaocar. Steflon D’Costa (16’) scored for Salgaocar.

Churchill Brothers challenge peter out

Velsao Sports and Cultural Club scored with the last kick of the match to earn a point in a 2-2 draw against Churchill Brothers in the Goa Professional League at the Duler Stadium, Mapusa.

Brian Mascarenhas (18’) put Velsao ahead from the spot. Churchill Brothers levelled in the 42nd minute through Jobern Cardozo. Seven minutes into the second half, it was 2-1 when Cardozo scored again.

The runners up of the I-League appeared to have wrapped up the 3 points until Ronil Azavedo stunned the Red Machines with a well-taken shot from outside the box in the 95th minute. To make it 2-2.

Earlier in the week, Churchill Brothers beat Calangute Association 2-0, courtesy a brace from Franky Oliveiro (35’, 66’).

YC Manora secure narrow 1-0 win over Velsao

Nicholas Fernandes scored the only goal of the match as Youth Club of Manora secured a 1-0 win over Velsao Sports and Cultural Club in the Goa Professional League.

Manora scored the winner through their skipper Nicholas Fernandes 1-0 in the 34th minute.

In the rescheduled match between Sesa beat Manora, Sameer Kashyap (6′ ), Suraj Singh (35′ ), Rizbon Fernandes (37′ ) cancelled out goals from Sweden Barbosa (20′) and Eldon Colaco (22′ ) as Sesa ran out 3-2 winners.

Dempo secure important win over Vasco

Desmon Pereira helped Dempo Sports Club secure a close win over Vasco Sports Club in the Goa Professional League.

The winner was scored in the 77th minute. Suraj’s cross in the box which was parried away by Vasco custodian but an unmarked Desmon headed in from the goalmouth to seal all three points for the Golden Eagles.

Sesa hold Guardian Angel in an entertaining draw

Sesa Football Academy came from two goals down to hold Guardian Angel Sports Club to a 2-2 draw in the Goa Professional League.

Joel Baretto (21’) and Beneston Barretto (45+2’) put Guardian Angel ahead. After the break, it was the Cajetan Fernandes shows. The former Sporting Goa midfielder slotted home a spot kick in the 52nd minute to halve the deficit. Three minutes later, a well-taken freekick from the edge of the box leveled the score line.

Calangute Association in fourth spot after win

Calangute Association beat Panjim Footballers 3-2 at the Duler Stadium. Siddhant Shirodkar (9′ 12′ ) had put Calangute ahead, however, goals from Lloyd Cardozo (43′ ) and Pandurang Gauns (48′) put the Panjim side on level terms.

Sidharth Kundaikar stepped up in the 57th minute to give Calangute the three points.