Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Unbeaten Goa Police SC came strongly in the second session to register a 4-1 win over Guardian Angel SC in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Friday.
All the goals came in the second session of play with Saeesh Halarnkar (2), Suraj Hadkonkar and Moises D’Sa scoring for Goa Police, while substitute Godwin Fernandes netted a consolation goal for Guardian Angel SC.
After Friday’s win, Goa Police SC tops the standings with 12 points from four matches, while Guardian Angel SC have just one point from three matches.
It was a delight for the large spectators and supporters to witness both the coaches fielding complete Goan sides in their Starting XI where many spectators travelled from the South.
Guardian Angel SC’s last line of defence marshalled by stopper backs Peter Carvalho and U-21 Livan Clement and wing backs Milroy Clement and James Fernandes along with goalkeeper Oswin Rodrigues played like a compact unit
curbing all the attacks brought by Goa Police SC in the first session of play.
Two strikes by Goa Police SC Ronaldo Oliveira from inside the 18-yard box, first travelled out while the next was saved by Guardian Angel SC’s custodian Oswin.
As the match progressed, Guardian Angel SC’s goalkeeper Oswin brought two more smart saves to deny Saeesh Halarnkar and Ronaldo Oliveira from scoring.
Guardian Angel SC’s had just one close attempt at the rival goal but a 25-yard shot by striker Cyril Dias was collected by Goa Police custodian Saiesh Kunkolkar.
On crossing ends, Goa Police coach Micky Fernandes, strengthened his attack, by bringing in Samuel D’Souza and Suraj Hadkonkar.
Hardly had the spectators taken their seats in the stadium, Goa Police would have opened their account, when substitute Samuel D’Souza set up Ronaldo, who in turn passed the ball to Suraj Hadkonkar, who drove a power-packed right footer from the edge of the box which came off the top far corner of the goal frame which was cleared for a corner by the defender.
Goa Police’s bad luck continued as Samuel’s header off a pinpoint cross by Saiesh Halarnkar was brilliantly saved by goalkeeper Oswin Rodrigues.
Goalkeeper Oswin was once again in thick of action as he left his charge to thwart Ronaldo from scoring off an intelligent through pass from Samuel. Two minutes later, Oswin flung to his right to pair Ronaldo’s cross at the goal before Suraj Hadkonkar could connect.
Finally, in the 59th minute, Guardian Angel SC’s citadel fell when Suraj Hadkonkar’s free-kick was headed by Saeesh Halarnkar in the goal, only to see goalkeeper Oswin and defenders protest that the ball did not cross the goalline. However, Referee Ritesh Parsekar after consulting his linesmen pointed to the center, 1-0.
Pepped up by the goal, Goa Police netted their second goal in the very next minute through Saeesh Halarnkar off Ronaldo’s assist, 2-0. Guardian Angel SC’s were reduced to 10-man with the sending off Clifton Rebello for second booking by Referee Ritesh.
As the match progressed, Goa Police pumped in two more goals through Suraj Hadkonkar and Moises D’Sa. Never say die spirit saw Guardian Angel SC’s substitute Godwin Fernandes score the consolation goal for his team.