MARGAO
A 10-man Goa crashed to their second defeat at Junior National Football Championship for Dr B C Roy Trophy as they were handed a 1-2 loss by Kerala in Phagwara, Punjab. Goa were leading 1-0 at half time.
The Goans played their hearts out in the second match but that was not enough as the formidable Kerala beat them. The scoreline through did not tell the exact story. Goa went into the lead in the 12th minute when captain Shanan Viegas converted a spot kick. With Goa raising hopes of an inspired show to keep their hopes alive they were dealt a blow three minutes later as Arayan Sawant needlessly challenged a rival player and the referee gave him the marching orders.
Crossing over, Kerala made the numerical advantage count and cancelled the lead soon after the restart. Goa kept defending and with time running out, Kerala struck the match winner to send Goa crashing out of the tournament.
With the win Kerala collected six points from two matches, while Goa suffered their second defeat and are yet to open their account. Delhi trounced Odisha 3-0 in another match. Kerala will play their last match against Odisha while Goa face Delhi next.
