margao
Salgaocar made a dream start as even before the Navelim players could settle down, Derrick Pereira -- left unmarked inside the box -- took a Mario Soares pass and struck a right-footer into the far corner of the nylons, past rival goalkeeper Simon Fernandes.
Navelim than gradually came back into the match with Orlando Viegas and Frank Fernandes finding gaps in the Salgaocar rearguard but inept shooting by their strikers Salvador Miranda and Sukdev Arwade spoiled the early good work. Midway through the first session, Salgaocar goalkeeper Bharat Morje had to be brave to push away a teasing cross from Orlando Viegas before Sukhdev Arwade could do the damage. At the other end, Prem Dias did everything to dribble past rival defender Vicky Fernandes and goalkeeper Simon Fernandes but the former Sesa Goa midfielder inexplicably shot wide.
Post resumption, Navelim threatened to get the equaliser but some stout defending by Salgaocar defender Rocky Carneiro and Bento Rodrigues kept the scoreline intact. Navelim got another opportunity in the closing stages of the match when former Dempo winger Orlando Viegas floated in a freekick, which was headed across by Sukhdev Arwade but Vicky Fernandes failed to connect from close range. Salgaocar striker Prem Dias ballooned a simple chance in the last minute, off a fine pass by Pele Xavier.
Earlier, chief guest Charles Fernandes, Assistant Engineer, Electricity Department, Margao, was introduced to the team by Leslie Dourado and Jerone Fernandes.
