RAIA: Vasco Club edged out Velsao Sports and Cultural Club 2-1 and managed to retain their place in the Goa Professional League 2023-24 at Nagoa ground, Verna today. With the defeat, Velsao stand relegated to the First Division for season 2023-24.
Velsao needed just a draw to avoid relegation as they had 11 points, while Vasco with 10 points had to register a victory to stay in the top league. And, Vasco managed to pull off a victory after the teams fought a goalless first half. All goals came in the second session.
Both teams tried their level best to score. Velsao's Climax Fernandes try in the 3rd minute failed to beat the rival goalkeeper. Subsequently, Beevan D'Mello's power-packed try was saved by Velsao goalkeeper Rahul, who again came to his team's rescue to stop Vasco's Under-20 Jesvan try.
Just few minutes for the interval, Velsao's Meuton Fernandes powerful shot was saved by goalkeeper Luis Xavier Barretto.
Soon after the break, Velsao's substitute Shafiq Ali saw his close range try being saved by goalkeeper Luis Xavier. Velsao kept up the pressure and Meutond's and Romario's shots missed the target narrowly.
Vasco, finally broke the deadlock in the 66th minute. Captain Cavin Peter Lobo essayed a diagonal shot which crushed into the Velsao net. Goaded with the success, Vasco netted the second goal through Altanesh Sayed in the 71st minute.
Velsao did not give up and Meuton Fernandes pulled a goal back in the 90th minute.
Meanwhile, match referee Mizio Peixoto gave marching orders (red card) to Velsao Sports and Cultural Club team coach Eban Mesquita, for using abuse language in the 79th minute. Just thereafter, the Velsao coach flung the water bottle and slapped the referee as he was ordered to leave the bench, as per the report from the Match Commissioner. It was Velsao manager Francis Andrade who brought the situation under control and the coach left the bench.
When contacted, coach Eban Mesquita said that two penalties were not given and that Vasco players were not penalised. "What sort of refereeing is this," he pointed out. "Goan football is over because of officials, match referees and it is good teams that are made to suffer," he added.