GFA Executive Committee member Ravindra Cabral presents the player-of-the-match award to Sporting Clube de Goa's Lloyd Cardozo.
MARGAO
Lloyd Cardozo scored a brace as Sporting Clube de Goa registered a fluent 2-0 win over Pax of Nagoa in the GFA Goa Professional League, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Thursday. Lloyd scored in the 42nd and 87th minutes.
Pax of Nagoa showed early promise as Delton Colaco spearheaded their attack. He had the first shot on target, taking advantage of a precise long ball from Velito Cruz. Colaco's mesmerising dribble saw him manoeuver past Alton, but his low drive was comfortably saved by Sporting's vigilant goalkeeper Manjunath.
Sporting Clube, on the other hand, found it challenging to break through Pax of Nagoa's solid defence. Their first notable attempt came from Rohan Rodrigues, whose long-range shot was securely gathered by the opposition custodian Ozen Silva.
However, the deadlock was finally broken in the 42nd minute when Ivon Costa unleashed a thunderous strike from a distance. Nagoa goalkeeper Ozen initially blocked the effort but couldn't prevent the rebound from being smashed into the net by the onrushing Lloyd Cardozo.
Nagoa had an opportunity to respond swiftly with a quick counter-attack, but Delton Colaco's shot veered wide of the target, failing to trouble Sporting's resolute defence.
The second half saw both teams engage in a midfield battle. Despite making several substitutions, the overall tempo of the match remained consistent. Sporting Clube seemed content with their one-goal lead, focusing on maintaining their advantage.
In the final quarter of the game, Sporting's second-half substitute Joyson Gauncar set up Vidipt Dua for a chance but Dua couldn't generate enough power to trouble the Nagoa goalkeeper. Lloyd Cardozo continued to be a thorn in Nagoa's side as he attempted another ground shot that forced goalkeeper Ozen into another crucial save.
Cardozo then sealed his brace in style. He skillfully dribbled past a couple of rival defenders inside the penalty area and calmly curled the ball past the Nagoa goalkeeper, doubling Sporting Clube's lead, 2-0.
In the end, Sporting Clube's disciplined performance and Lloyd Cardozo's clinical finishing were the decisive factors in securing a well-deserved victory.
