PANAJI
FC Goa produced a composed second-half display to defeat Bidesh XI SC 2-0, with patience and structure proving decisive after a closely contested opening period.
FC Goa came closest to breaking the deadlock in the 30th minute when a powerful strike beat the goalkeeper but crashed against the woodwork, summing up a half where clear chances were limited. With neither side able to find the breakthrough, the teams went into the interval locked at 0-0.
The contest opened up after the restart as FC Goa gradually imposed themselves in the final third. In the 76th minute, Konsam Singh released Asher Rodrigues on the flank and his driven cross was met by Bryson Pereira, who finished calmly inside the box to give FC Goa the lead. Bidesh XI pushed forward in search of a response, but FC Goa remained organised at the back. Deep into stoppage time, Cydon D’Souza produced a sharp first save, and Kavya Katkar reacted quickest to convert the rebound, sealing a deserved 2-0 win.
