Salgaocar off to flying start

Photo Credits: U-18 I-League

MARGAO

Salgaocar FC colts stamped their class by handing Sports Authority of India (SAI) a 3-0 drubbing in the Goa Zonal leg of the Under-18 I-League at Government School playground, Cuncolim on Saturday. The winners led 2-0 at the breather. Stephen Satardekar, Ruflan Fernandes and Mahesh Kumar were the goal-getters for Salgaocar.

The game got off to a brisk start with both sides playing attacking football. Whilst Salgaocar looked to use the width on the flanks, SAI used the centre channel with Anwarsha playing as the target man upfront. Coach Anthony Pereira chose to start with pacey striker Liston who was a doubtful starter for the game but had recovered in time, but the forward wasn’t his usual self and was substituted as early as the 25th minute for Flester Gomes.

The Greens went in front in the 27th minute. Ruflan Fernandes chested down a long ball at the top of the box and after beating a rival defender and sent in an inviting cross. Lalit Tariyal smartly headed down for Stephen Satardekar, whose first attempt saw Ahmed Asfar in the SAI goal pull off a smart reflex save. However, Stephen was quickest to react and slammed home the rebound.

Salgaocar could have doubled their lead in the 35th minute but Ruflan’s shot off a corner from Mahesh Kumar was cleared off the line. They did however find the back of the net a minute later as Stephen sent Mahesh clear with a defence-splitting pass on the right. Mahesh sent in an inch perfect cross for Ruflan to head home.

Minutes later, Antonio Dylan Da Silva in the Salgaocar goal pulled off a smart save off a free-kick from D Vignesh. At the stroke of half time, Anwarsha latched on to a loose ball and initiated a quick counter by finding substitute Ganesamoorthy on the right but the Salgaocar defence recovered well to ensure there was no damage done before half-time.

After the change of ends, the SAI lads seemed determined to reduce the deficit, thereby allowing the Greens to break on the counter. But it was Salgaocar who found the back of the net for the third time as Lalit was put through on the left by Denil. His teasing cross saw an onrushing Mahesh find the roof of the net with a power-packed finish.

It could have got worse for the SAI lads as Denil and Stephen worked a delightful one-two, the former sending in a beautiful ball across the face of goal but a sliding Lalit failed to tap home. Substitute Ronaldo Oliveira had two glorious opportunities in the dying minutes after finding himself with only the keeper at his mercy, but was unable to trouble the scorers any further. The Greens next take on Sporting Clube de Goa on October 31 at the same venue.

SCOREBOX

Salgaocar FC 3 beat SAI 0