PANAJI
Vasco SC cruised to a 2-0 victory over Guardian Angel SC in their opening Goa Professional League clash at Duler Stadium, Mapusa.
Guardian Angel came close early when Fhezer Gomes delivered a low cross that found Mejoyce Goes inside the box, but his first-time effort was denied by the Vasco goalkeeper. The rebound fell to Preston Castano, whose driven strike skimmed just wide. Vasco then earned a golden opportunity as Singsit was brought down by Suman Lepcha in the box. The forward stepped up for the penalty but saw his effort rattle off the upright, keeping the scores level.
The second half began with Guardian Angel pressing for a breakthrough. Malemngangba whipped in a teasing cross from the right, finding Castano unmarked at the far post, but Vasco’s Ronaldo Pereira raced back to clear off the line, preserving the clean sheet.
Vasco regained control in midfield and punished Guardian Angel moments later. Blasco Fernandes threaded a perfectly weighted through ball to Singsit, who redeemed himself by calmly slotting past the onrushing goalkeeper to give the Port Towners the lead. Guardian Angel pushed forward in search of an equalizer, and James Fernandes’ curling cross found Cyril Dias, only for goalkeeper Roni Das to make a full-length save to deny the effort.
In the dying minutes, Vasco sealed the win in style. Doungel’s surging solo run from midfield created chaos in the Guardian Angel box, with his pass to Singsit blocked by the keeper and Suman clearing the rebound. The loose ball fell to Vellington Almeida on the right side of the box and with composure, he curled a sublime finish into the far corner to make it 2-0 and secure all three points.
