PANAJI
Calangute Association eased past Vasco Sports Club 2“0 in the Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Monday.
Calangute broke the deadlock in the 66th minute through a well-executed corner routine. Suraj Hadkonkar delivered an inch-perfect cross from the right to the far post, where Sainath Kankonkar timed his leap superbly to head the ball into the back of the net, giving his side a crucial 1“0 lead. The second came later in the half after a defensive lapse from Vasco. Michael Silva’s attempted headed back-pass to his goalkeeper was intercepted by Jovito Fernandes, who quickly squared it to Ronaldo Oliveira. With the keeper stranded, Ronaldo calmly slotted the ball into an empty net to seal a 2“0 victory.
Earlier in the first half, Sidharth Kundaikar was brought down on the left flank by Vasco’s Doungel, earning Calangute a free-kick in a dangerous position. Sidharth curled the delivery into the box, but the Vasco defence managed to clear the danger. Moments later, Mehbub Hublikar chipped a precise through ball behind the Vasco backline to find Shaviz Pathan, who controlled well and unleashed a shot, only for goalkeeper Roni Das to make a sharp save.
Soon after, right-back Joywin Carneiro spotted the Vasco custodian off his line and attempted an audacious strike from the halfway line, but Sharma reacted brilliantly to palm it away. At the other end, Rohish Gawade whipped in a teasing cross from the left towards Kenneth Pereira, who brought it down neatly but sent his effort wide of the target.
Calangute continued to press as Suraj threaded a through ball to Arun Naik, but the striker was beaten to it by the alert Vasco keeper, who rushed out to clear the danger. Just before halftime, Joywin swung in a cross towards the near post that was parried away by the Vasco goalkeeper. The rebound fell kindly for Arun Naik, who slid in for the shot but failed to connect cleanly, leaving the sides level at the break.
The second half came to life when Vasco almost took the lead. Lenin Singh slipped a clever through ball to Velington Almeida, who dribbled into the box and unleashed a shot, only for Calangute goalkeeper Aditya Sharma to pull off a fine save. Moments later, Sharma was called into action again, rushing off his line to deny Blasco Fernandes after a defence-splitting pass left him through on goal.
Calangute finally found the breakthrough in the 66th minute from a well-worked corner. Suraj Hadkonkar swung in a precise delivery from the right to the far post, where Sainath Kankonkar rose highest to nod home and give his side the lead. Vasco nearly equalised soon after when Lenin Singh struck from the edge of the box, forcing another sharp save from Sharma. The rebound fell to Michael Silva, but his first-time effort flew wide.
Calangute doubled their advantage minutes later through Ronaldo Oliveira. Vasco’s Michael Silva attempted a headed back-pass to his goalkeeper, but Jovito Fernandes intercepted smartly and unselfishly squared it to Ronaldo, who finished calmly into an empty net.
In the dying moments, Vasco pushed men forward in search of a goal, but Calangute’s defence stood firm to secure a well-deserved 2“0 win.
