Action between Panjim Footballers and Guardian Angel on Thursday.
PANAJI
Panjim Footballers were left to rue missed chances as Guardian Angel SC punished them with a narrow 1-0 win in the Goa Football Association's Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Thursday. Beneston Barretto scored the only goal of the game in the first half injury time.
With their skipper Kunal Kundaikar being promoted to their main team — Sporting Clube de Goa, Janio Fernandes was given the charge to lead the side. Last season’s star midfielder Joyson Gauncar started in midfield while team’s leading scorer Lloyd Cardozo featured upfront. Meanwhile, Angel coach Riston Rodrigues fielded his strongest XI with Gilbert Oliveira, James Fernandes, William Niasso and Beneston Barretto all starting for the Curchorem side.
The youthful Panjim Footballers dominated the first 45 minutes and created many chances but were denied by their sloppy finishing and a brilliant Guardian Angel keeper Pratheesh Veettil. Panjim came close to scoring in the 13th minute when Liston Cardozo delivered a perfect cross to Filton D'Cunha, whose header didn't create many problems for Veettil.
Panjim dominated but created unnecessary pressure by playing the ball at the back and one such instance nearly cost them a goal when Akram Yadav's weak pass nearly found Beneston, but Panjim custodian Preston Rego was quick to clear the ball to safety. Moments later, Gilbert Oliviera had a shy at goal but his poorly executed shot was easily saved by keeper Rego.
At the other end, Veettil denied Akash Sanadi from a free-kick with a brilliant save, pushing the ball for a corner. The resultant flag-kick was wasted by Panjim as the ball bounced into the box, but none of the Panjim players could get to it.
Panjim had a glorious chance to take the lead when Chandan Gawas ran down the right flank and squared the ball to Lloyd, but the last-named missed his first attempt and his second attempt went straight to the keeper.
The missed chances cost Panjim as Guardian Angel broke the deadlock at the stroke of half time. William Niasso played a lofted pass to Beneston, who was marked by Janio, but the Panjim skipper failed to take on his man. Beneston buried home from close to put his side ahead in the game.
Crossing ends, Panjim were denied once again when Lloyd’s volleyed attempt was kept out of the frame by Veettil. At the other end, Guardian Angel had a chance to double the account when Denvil Fernandes, on entering the box, shot from a tight angle, which was blocked by Rego. However, the rebound fell to an unmarked Basanta Moirangthem, but the striker's effort from the face of the goal was deflected for a corner by Janio.
There were plenty of chances for Panjim but coach Alex Alvares' side were sloppy in the final third. On entering the box Joyson Gauncar played a short pass to Chandan, however, with just the keeper to beat, the first half substitute shot straight to him. Guardian Angel SC guarded their goal well and held on to their slender one-goal lead to collect the first win of the season.
