the goan I network
MARGAO
St Rock's Youth Club led 2-1 at half time.
St Rock's Youth Club started the game on a positive note and forged ahead in the 30th minute when striker Flesbern Ferrao slotted past the rival goalkeeper with a snap shot. However their joy was short-lived as Nefron Rodrigues neutralised the lead in the 36th minute.
Stunned by the equaliser, St Rock's Youth Club went into attacking mode and launched a barrage of attacks and striker Flesbern Ferrao regained the lead in the 40th minute. Post resumption, St Rock's Youth Club continued to enjoy the better share of exchanges and their forwards called the shots against the rival citadel.
Rolland Fernandes put the issue beyond doubt in the 53rd minute when he punished the rival goalkeeper with a neat finish. In the 71st minute, Vellington Costa inflated the tally. Avinash Rodrigues reduced the deficit to 2-4. Two minutes before long whistle Ismael Pathan drove the last nail into the rival coffin.
Guirdolim win
Meanwhile, Guirdolim Club overcame Sao Jose de Areal Sports Club 3-2 at DYSA ground, Curtorim on Sunday. Both the teams were tied 1-1 at half time. Sao Jose de Areal forged ahead when David Colaco broke the deadlock with a stiff shot in the 23rd minute. Guirdolim scored the equaliser in the 43rd minute when Sajik Shaikh punted the ball to the far corner of the net.
Guridolim gained the lead through Johnson Gomes in the 60th minute. Sao Jose de Areal restored the parity through Aggio Antao in the 71st minute. With the scores level 2-2, Guridolim went all out and Sajik Shaikh struck the match winner at the stroke
of full time.
At Panchayat ground, Raia, Raia Sporting Club gained a walkover over Shiroda Youth Club as the later reported late at the venue.
India bracing for U-17 W Cup Challenge
PTI
MARGAO
Indian U-17 World Cup team is working hard to fine tune their skills before they leave for New Delhi on September 28 to play against US, Ghana and Colombia in the group A league matches.
The Indian team play their inaugural match against US on October 6 and coach Luis Norton de Matos is looking for a positive result.
"The difference between our team and the rest of the teams is enormous, but if we believe in ourselves we can create impact in the world cup," said Matos.
"The boys have worked hard during the last few months, made progress and played some very good matches. We have expectation from this World Cup, an experience which is completely new to the players."
Matos said India did not play enough matches against national teams but the performance against Chile should hold them in good stead.
"It's high competition. Unlike other teams we are also conscious that we have not played enough matches with national teams. We played Italy, Serbi, Macedonia, Mexico, Colombia and Chile," he said. "We also played four nations tournament in Mexico and drew against Chile who have also qualified for the World Cup. The performance against Chile should give the team a shot in the arm.
"Yesterday, the boys played friendly match against FC Goa development side and went down 0-1. They will play another friendly match against local side before they leave for Delhi to play in the World Cup on October 6 against US."
Matos is using these friendlies to test some of the fringe players, seeing for himself how they react in a match situation.
"The boys are determined to show that the team is organised and that the team can improve in future. Winning is a distant dream but we do not want to lose by bigger margin," said Matos.
