Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Ronaldo Oliveira's four-goal blitz helped Goa Police SC secure a 4-1 win over Pax of Nagoa SC in the Goa Professional League, played at Duler Stadium on Wednesday. With this victory, Goa Police now have six points, while Pax of Nagoa are yet to open their account.
The Pax colts enjoyed better ball possession and had several early strikes at the rival goal.
In the 11th minute, Desmon sent in a free-kick to Joywin, whose tap narrowly missed the goalpost. Minutes later, Beneston Barretto delivered a dangerous cross into the goal area, but none of the Pax players were in position to finish it.
In the 25th minute, Pax's Stalen Lucas sent a cross to the well-positioned Desmon Pereira, whose header went wide of the goalpost. Another opportunity went begging for Pax when a header by a Goa Police defender back to his goalkeeper allowed Nagoa's Beneston Barretto to pounce on the loose ball, but the Police goalkeeper made a breathtaking save.
Two minutes before the end of the first half, Goa Police nearly took the lead when Ronaldo Oliveira controlled a cross from Mayuresh Naik and unleashed a powerful strike that rattled the crossbar.
Upon resumption of play, Nagoa finally opened their account in the 54th minute. Shubert received a pass from Joywin Carneiro, dribbled past several defenders and the onrushing goalkeeper, and scored to make it 1-0.
Stung by this setback, Goa Police went on the rampage, with their striker Ronaldo Oliveira scoring four goals in quick succession.
The equaliser came in the 60th minute when an unmarked Ronaldo, positioned at the far post, guided Suraj Hadkonkar's corner into the net to make it 1-1.
Buoyed by the goal, Goa Police took the lead as Ronaldo netted his second, finishing a through pass from Samuel D'Souza to make it 2-1.
It did not take long for Ronaldo to complete his hat-trick. Kunal Salgaonkar provided the assist, and Ronaldo expertly chipped the ball over the Nagoa goalkeeper to make it 3-1.
Ronaldo's hunger for goals continued as he netted his fourth from a pinpoint cross by Mayuresh Naik with a simple tap-in, sealing the 4-1 victory.