the goan I network
MARGAO
Guardian Angel Sports Club-Curchorem scored a hard-fought narrow 1-0 win against Panjim Footballers in GFA Professional League at Rosary ground, Navelim, on Wednesday. There was no score at half time.
The first half began with the Curchorem lads dominating the proceedings and enjoying more possession and chances. However, they could not make them count as both teams entered the break with a goalless scoreline. Striker Beneston Baretto came closest to finding the net during the first 20 minutes.
Panjim Footballers started posing a few threats of their own in the first half, through Cyril Dias and Chandan Gawas and their buildups were a treat to watch. Goalkeeper Preston Rego was outstadning and effected a couple of superlative saves to keep their slate clean.
Midway in the opening session, Guardian Angel continued to press for the opener and almost broke the deadlock when Under-20 midfielder Kimran Fernandes’ glanced header missed the target narrowly. Guardian Angel Sports Club nearly found the match-winner when attacking midfielder Ashlon Olveira’s free-kick landed at the feet of Beneston Baretto, who fumbled at crucial moments inside the rival penalty
box.
Guardian Angel Sports Club had a golden chance before the break but rival defender cleared the ball before the Ghana striker Bamba Moctar could do the damage at the stroke of the lemon break. After changing the ends, Panjim Footballers increased their pace and their forwards troubled the rival defence with well-orchestrated raids. When midfielder Royson Gaunkar waeved past the rival defenders, his try missed the mark by a whisker.
It was Guardian Angel Sports Club that continued to look more dangerous and came close in surging ahead soon after the resumption when attacking midfielder Ashlon Olveira sent a defence-splitting cross inside the rival penalty box. Ghana striker Bamba Moctar failed as rival goalkeeper Prathhessh Veetil averted the danger in the 58th minute. Couple of minutes later, Guardian Angel Sports Club were unlucky when Ashlon Olveira’s snap-shot hit the post much to the dismay of Curchorem team supporters.
It was Guardian Angel Sports Club that continued to look more dangerous and they finally made their dominance count when Ashlon Olveira opened the scoring in the 72nd minute. Latching on to a pass inside the box from Bamba Moctar, the former gently tapped it home. Stung by that setback, Panjim Footballers tried their best to neutralise the lead but Lkyod Cardozo failed to beat the rival goalkeeper.
With this win, Guardian Angel Sports Club took their tally to 6 points from 3 matches while Panjim Footballers suffered their second defeat in two matches.
