Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Geno FC registered a well deserved 2-0 win over Calangute Association SC in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Tuesday.
Geno FC struck a goal in each session of play through Saideep Pomburphekar (20th minute) and Suraj Gurung (96th minute). With Tuesday’s win Geno FC have 19 points, while Calangute Association have seven points both having played their eighth league match.
The match never rose to great heights, though Geno FC scored in the 20th minute of play through Saideep.
A fine cross by Sahil Inamdar was smartly headed by Saideep into the unguarded goal, 1-0.
Geno FC almost doubled their lead but a 25-yard shot by Nigel Fernandes was brilliantly fisted for a corner by Calangute Association SC’s goalkeeper Abujam Singh.
Another glorious chance went abegging for Geno FC in the 41st minute where Nigel Fernandes made a swift run from the left flank but entering the 18-yard box surprisingly shot the side netting.
On crossing ends, play was mostly restricted to midfield which brought spark in the Calangute Association SC’s attack only when their coach Marcelino Pereira brought in Tuffel Hingora, Nigel Silveira and Richard Cardozo.
In the 71st minute, a hot-blooded shot by Tuffel hit the rival defender for a corner. Four minutes later, a 25-yard shot by Pandurang Gauns was collected by Geno FC’s goalkeeper Akshat Hadkonkar.
At the other end, a superb placement by Suraj Gurung was brilliantly pushed for a corner, by Calangute Association’s custodian with a full-stretched diving save.
Two minutes before the end of the regulation time, Geno FC’s Sheldon Fernandes collected a fine pass from substitute Dishu Singh and after covering some ground tried to place the ball past the onrushing Calangute Calangute Association SC’s custodian where the ball rolled just inches past the far goal post.
In the 96th minute, Geno FC’s Sheldon Fernandes was brought down by Calangute Association SC’s skipper Giresh Naik inside the penalty box prompting Referee Jan Rodrigues to point to the dreaded spot.
Suraj Gurung stepped forward and scored, 2-0.