Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Goa Police Sports Club continued on their winning streak to edge past Calangute Association by 2-1 margin, in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Thursday.
Goa Police now have nine points, while Calangute Association have three points after three matches.
Goa Police scored through Ronaldo Oilveira (21st minute) and Samuel D’Souza (81st minute), while Calangute Association netted through Tufel Hingora (51st minute).
Goa Police having won both their earlier matches under the guidance of coach Micky Fernandes played almost the same starting XI which gave his team two consecutive wins. His ace striker Ronaldo, who had scored four goals against Pax of Nagoa was an obstacle for Calangute Association defenders.
At the other end, Calangute Association’s coach Marcelino Fernandes tried his best to field a set to curb the rivals attack with his skipper and defender Melvin Lobo playing a stellar role, where in the 14th minute he brought a smart block to stop a hot-blooded shot from Ronaldo from inside the 18-yard box.
In the 21st minute, Goa Police forged ahead where right wingback Prajwal Ghadi sent a long ball towards Calangute Association’s goal where defender Edwin Vieges missed the flight of the ball to find onrushing Ronaldo lob the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper Abujam Singh into the goal, 1-0.
Pepped up by the goal, Goa Police continued to exert pressure on the rival citadel and almost scored their second goal, but Calangute Association’s custodian brought two out of the blue back to back saves to block Atharv Ghadi and Francisco Fernandes strikes from inside the 18-yard box.
In the closing stages of the first session, Goa Police U-21 Rui Noronha strike and Calangute Association’s Tufel Hingra header missed the target narrowly.
On crossing ends, Calangute Association were a transformed side and should have levelled terms in the very next minute but a teasing low cross by Akash Sanadi was timely blocked for a corner by Goa Police defender Harshad Gaonkar.
Finally, in the 51st minute, Vishesh Nasnodkar found substitute Richard Cardozo on the right flank who after covering some ground sent a pinpoint cross to over lapping Tufel Hingora who strongly headed the ball into the net, 1-1.
In the 81st minute, Goa Police substitute Samuel D’Souza was at the right place at the right time to guide Ronaldo’s low cross into the goal, 2-1, to send Goa Police supporters into raptures.