Sporting Clube de Goa contingent after securing the Pro League title.
Photo Credits: The Goan Everyday
PANAJI
Sporting Clube de Goa emerged champions of the Selvel Goa Professional League after recording a comprehensive 9-0 win over Guardian Angel Sports Club in the final league match at Chowgule ground, on Friday.
Sporting Clube remained unbeaten in their campaign to finish top with 23 points while Dempo SC were second on 21 points. Calangute Association, who edged past Salgaocar FC with a solitary goal after scoring from a spot-kick at Duler to complete their halted game, finished third with 20 points. Salgaocar also ended their campaign on 20 points but finished behind Calangute Association due to an inferior head-to-head record.
At Chowgule ground, Sporting Clube took half hour to take the lead when Philip Odogwu sent in a delivery in the box, which was guided in by Marcus Mascarenhas. Sporting Clube led 1-0 at the break.
Changing ends, the Flaming Oranje started their onslaught from the 48th minute where Marcus assisted Gaurav to make it 2-0. Within minutes, Sporting were up by three goals as Philip assisted Akeraj before Gautam netted the fourth in the 54th minute.
There was no stopping Sporting as they continued scoring. In the 56th minute, Myron provided an assist to Philip and then Gautam made it 6-0. In the 77th minute, Marcus made it 7-0 off an assist from Sachidanand. In the final minutes, Sporting netted two more goals through Philip and Marcus, who completed his hat-trick with the final kick of the game.
At Duler Stadium, the match was started with the penalty retake and Domnic Fernandes found the far right corner from the spot despite Salgaocar goalkeeper Jason diving in the right direction.
Once down by a goal, it was always going to get difficult for Salgaocar FC, who required not just a win, but also goals to win the crown. However, Calangute Association held on till the final whistle to secure a third-place finish.
Sporting Clube president Natty Vaz hailed the Flaming Oranje for the hard work they put in the bio-secure environment to secure the title in the competition held under the shadow of coronavirus pandemic.
"I would like to congratulate the management and players of Sporting Clube de Goa for being crowned champions of the Goa Professional League 2020-21. It was their hard work and perseverance that gave us results, especially during these testing times," stated Natty, who took over the reins of the club from her husband Peter Vaz, who passed away in December last year.
Vaz's children, Nathan and Danira, were also ecstatic with the team being crowned champions and that too being unbeaten throughout the league. "Dad would have been proud of the boys today for their achievement. This win is especially dedicated to him. We were upset as we couldn't be present for the match due to the guidelines issued by the Goa Football Association but are happy with the end result," stated Nathan.
"Cheers to the players for their stupendous performance during the entire league," Danira said.
