PANAJI
Goals by Malsawmtluanga, Versley Paes, Rayan Menezes and Davis Fernandes helped the FC Goa Dev Team return to winning ways in the GFA TACA Goa U20 First Division League, as they beat Sesa Football Academy 4-0 at the Salvador do Mundo Panchayat Ground on Friday.
Dev Team head coach Deggie Cardozo made two changes to the playing XI that started in the draw against Churchill Brothers. Jovial Dias and Bryson Pereira were called to action, replacing Lalremruata HP and Anthony Fernandes.
The Boys in Orange started the game strongly and launched a flurry of attacks right from the kick-off, not allowing Sesa FA to settle down. In the 18th minute, Malsawmtluanga netted in from close range to give them the lead.
The goal boosted FC Goa’s confidence greatly, as evidenced by their performance that followed. They created two more easy chances in the next 20 minutes but Sesa’s goalkeeper came to his team’s rescue on both occasions.
In the 39th minute, Malsawmtluanga turned creator as he set up Versley from a corner-kick. Just two minutes later, the Gaurs increased their lead to three goals through captain Rayan, whose powerful volley from the edge of the box flew past the keeper before he could even react.
Returning from the half-time break, Cardozo’s boys continued right from where they had left off, creating chances after chances and constantly posing a threat on Sesa’s defence. Mevan Dias, who scored a hat-trick earlier this month against Vasco, came close to adding his name on the scoresheet in the 70th minute, but his headed attempt sailed just wide.
In the 78th minute, Davis scored with a beautiful free-kick to give his team a four-goal cushion. That, in turn, also proved to be the final action of the game as FC Goa registered their third win in four matches.
The team will return to action on May 31, when they take on Sporting Clube de Goa at the Salvador do Mundo Panchayat Ground.
