CHARLES D'SOUZA
MARGAO
Leading from the front, captain Victorino Fernandes scored four goals as Goa made a positive start registering a thumping 14-0 win against hapless Rajasthan, in the west zonal round of 72nd Reliance National Football Championship in Ahmedabad on Wednesday .
Goa, who were dominant from the kick-off, enjoyed the lion's share of exchanges and went into the break with a comfortable 5-0 cushion. The captain was complimented by a brace from Mckroy Peixoto and Under-21 player Schubert Fernandes, with goals from Bevan D'Mello, Kapil Hoble, Peter Carvalho, Nickson Castana, Clinton Niasso and Jessel Carneiro, completing the rout.
Contrary to expectations, Goa did not take the foot off the pedal in the second half and pumped nine more goals. Midfielders Kapil Hoble and Bevan D'Mello collaborated well in nullifying Rajasthan, while wing-back Jessel Carneiro scored a gem of a goal. Goa next face hosts Gujarat on January 12 in their final group encounter. Earlier Rajasthan and Gujarat were involved in a 5-5 draw.
There were reasons for head coach Armando Colaco's double joy, with the news that his daughter had given birth to a baby girl on the victorious day for Goan team, aiming to win Santosh Trophy again.
The Goa head coach said: "For us it was very, very important to win the opening match and give us a better chance of making the second stage . Today was our best performance so far because we were much more organised. We analysed Rajasthan team and our players on the left and right, controlled the game. We got in good positions and were able to make goalscoring chances."
