the goan I network
DULER
Calangute Association registered a solitary goal win over Churchill Brothers in the Goa Football Association Professional League at Duler Stadium here on Wednesday. In the late kick-off, Dempo SC scored a comfortable 3-1 win over Corps of Signals.
Josley Dias’ headed goal in the 56th minute, proved match-winner for Calangute Association in the early kick-off against Churchill Bros.
Churchill coach Alfred Fernandes started with one change in the line-up via Rohan Adnaik following the 10-0 win over FC Bardez in their last round. At the other end, Calangute coach Alex Alvares brought in Josley Dias to replace Nigerian Kouame Joseph and Newton Azavedo made way for Runal Shirodkar in the beachside team’s line-up, after their 4-1 win over SCC Cavelossim in the previous outing.
The first 35 minutes play was mostly restricted to the midfield with the goalkeepers being hardly tested. It was only in the 37th minute, Nicholas Fernandes moved from the wing and sent a low cross to a well-positioned Trinidadian forward Willis Plaza, who then beat the onrushing Calangute keeper Jason D’Mello with his first touch. However, his shot at the goal was cleared on the goal line by defender Amar Halankar.
In the 42nd minute, Calangute also had a chance to take the lead when Josley brilliantly curled the ball in the box from the corner, but substitute Ashok Megheri shot wide from close. With nothing working much, Churchill coach Alfred made all substitutions Pankaj Sona and Valerio Rodrigues in the first session and Banpynkhrawnam N. replacing injured Kyrgyzstani midfielder Bektur Uulu at the start of the second session.
However, it was the Beach-side who took the lead in the 56th minute when Domnic Fernandes’ curling free-kick from the right flank was smartly headed into the goal by Josley Dias.
In the last quarter of the match, the Red Machine tried to pin their opponents inside their own territory in search of the equaliser. Uttam Rai and Willis Plaza were checked in time by the last line of Calangute defence lead by Amar along with Mayur Shelar, Bersal Viegas and Bonny Niasso, who managed to hold onto their one-goal lead till the final whistle to give full three points to their team.
In the later match under floodlights, Dempo Sports Club registered a fluent 3-1 win over Corps of Signals and remained in second position.
In the 15th minute, Beevan D’Mello scored from the penalty spot after Signals’ Chand Singh had brought down Kapil Hoble inside the penalty box. On crossing over in the 51st minute, Velito Cruz doubled the lead when he got hold off a pass from Beevan and drilled a power-packed right-footer at the far corner of the goal.
Nickson Castanha had a chance to extend Dempo’s lead but he failed to score from the penalty spot, however in the 91st minute, Latesh Mandrekar pumped in the third goal. In the dying minutes of the match, Ankan Dawn notched up a consolation goal for Signals.
