the goan I network
MAPUSA
A brilliant two-goal blitz by Liston Colaco enabled Goan Football Club to register a 2-0 win over Corps of Signals Sports Club in the eighth round match of the Goa Professional League organised by GFA, at Duler stadium, here on Tuesday.
After the result, Goan FC have 8 points from six matches while Corps of Signals stay on 11 points from eight matches. Goan Football Club coach Clifford Miranda had the satisfaction of fielding Jonathan Cardozo, Yasir Mohammad, Kingslee Fernandes and Princeton Rebello in his starting line-up that had travelled to Spain with the seniors. In addition, Liston Colaco was back in the squad after playing for FC Goa against Mumbai City FC to further strengthen the attack.
Corps of Signals in-charge Sub Rateesh R brought in just two changes in his starting line-up, Kuldeep Kumar (defender) and Cyril Dias (striker), after having drawn their last match against Vasco Sports Club. Goan FC had the upper hand in the first session with Yasir Mohammad, Kingslee Fernandes and Princeton Rebello working like a well-oiled machine to keep Liston Colaco and Aaren D'Silva busy upfront. Both the teams had an attempt each at the rival goals early in the match. A neat cross by Goan's Jonathan Cardozo saw Aaren D'Silva's header travel wide off the mark. In the very next minute, Signals' Nakul Birha's firm header went just over the crossbar, off a cross from Cyril Dias.
Liston Colaco showed his class of being the highest goal scorer in last GPL season for Salgaocar. He collected a pass from Savior Gama and, after covering some ground, he slammed a power-packed right-footer from outside the box leaving keeper Binu Purushothama rooted to the ground, 1-0.
Signals had two chances to level terms. In the 16th minute, Pawan Thakur's corner was strongly headed at the goal by Kuldeep Kumar to find rival Goan's keeper Iprotip Das effect a superb save. Then in the 29th minute, Pawan Thakur dribbled past a couple of rival defenders but saw his strike being saved by keeper Iprotip. In the 25th minute, Liston Colaco sent a neat pass to Aaren D'Silva, who would have scored a goal on his birthday but his tap hit the onrushing keeper and travelled for a corner.
On resumption of play, Goan FC continued their domination and came close twice in inflating their lead. In the 46th minute, Yasir Mohammad's strike from outside the penalty box was pushed for a corner, with a diving save from keeper Binu. Four minutes later, Liston Colaco danced past at least six of the rival players and drilled a shot at the goal, which rebounded into play after striking the woodwork.
The next 30 minutes the play was mostly restricted to midfield but the match came into life for the last 10 minutes before the final hooter. Signals' Pawan Thakur's strike on entering the penalty box from the right was brilliantly fisted for a corner from the first post by keeper Iprotip Das.
In the 89th minute, Kingslee intelligently set up substitute Enestar Malngiang who dribbled past a host of rival defenders but saw his stiff grounder travel just past the side post. With five minutes of added time, another chance went in vain for Signals. Paul Victor's cross inside the goal area was swayed away for a corner by keeper Iprotip.
In the 95th minute, Liston Colaco collected a long throw from his keeper inside his own half and after running with the ball right up to the rival penalty box, with a host of Signals hot on his heels, dribbled past keeper Binu and placed the ball into the
goal, 2-0.
