MARGAO
DSK Shivajians, Pune bounced back from defeat to crush Snow's Football Academy, Raia 5-1 in their Bandodkar Gold Cup match at Rosary ground, Navelim on Thursday. DSK Shivajians led 1-0 at the breather.
The Pune-based side had suffered a setback against Dempo SC as despite dominating they ended up as 0-1 losers against the Goans. But on Thursday, the favourites lived up to their billing as striker Lalruatapuia scored three goals that left the Snows Football Academy bleeding. Jesse Ralte and substitute Nikhil Mali also added their names to the impressive scoresheet while Valito Miranda scored the consolation goal for Snow's.
DSK Shivajians were favoured to win the clash but nobody expected them to win it so easily, especially against the team that had caused considerable problems to the Sporting Clube de Goa in their previous match. On the other hand, the Snow's players exhibited a better performance but goals eluded them, especially in the first half.
The deadlock was broken in the 23rd minute when Jesse Ralte picked up the ball from his colleague and unleashed a 30-yard snap shot to beat Snow's goalkeeper Preston Rego. Down by the goal, Snow's responded with a series of raids. Although chances were few and far between, they were also guilty of miss-passes. Stephen Satardekar and Schubert Pereira both spurned easy chances with only rival goalkeeper at their mercy.
Crossing over, DSK Shivajians showed intensity and unleashed a flurry of attacks to keep the rival defence on tenterhooks. Lalruatpuia doubled the lead in the 65th minute when he nodded in off a well-measured cross from the left by Prashanth K. Lalruatpuia made it 3-0 in the 68th minute when he beautifully headed in off a cross from Ameya Ranawade.
Any thoughts that DSK Shivijians would take their foot off the accelerator were put to rest when Lalruatpuia headed home his third goal off a flag kick taken by Ameya Ranawade in the 57th minute. DSK Shivajians drove the last nail into the rival coffin in the 88th minute when Brian Faria tripped Nikhil Mali inside the penalty box and referee awarded a spot kick, which Mali himself converted sending goalkeeper Preston the wrong way.
Snow's finallyscored the consolation goal in the injury time through a penalty when Biaklian Paite handled the ball inside the box off a snap shot by Stephen Satardekar. Valito Miranda coolly converted the spot kick.
Lalruatpuia was later adjudged Man of the match and received a cash prize of Rs 5,000. With this win, DSK Shivijians collected 3 points from two matches while Snow's Football Academy, Raia have no points after two losses.
PLAYING TODAY
Salgaocar FC vs Pune FC at Duler stadium, Mapusa; Churchill Brothers v Goa Velha Sports Club, Rosary ground, Navelim; Kick-off: 4.15 pm.
