PANAJI
FC Goa kicked off their Goa Professional League campaign with a 2-0 win over Velsao Sports and Cultural Club at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday. Jovial Dias and Mevan Dias scored for the Gaurs in either half.
In early action, FC Goa keeper Hansel Coelho came with a fine save early in the game when he denied Rohan Rodrigues, who struck from the edge of the box. In the 21st minute, Rohan did well for Velsao to intercept a quick free-kick but couldn't keep his shot on target as Hansel came charging to close him down one-on-one.
With Velsao missing chances, FC Goa struck with a brilliant goal. Jovial scored a stunner in the 27th minute to send his team ahead. Ivon Costa won the ball in the midfield and played it to Jovial, who danced his way past a couple of Velsao SCC players before pulling the trigger from 35 yards out. Velsao keeper got his hand to the shot but couldn't stop the ball from entering the goal.
In the 40th minute, FC Goa nearly doubled the account and this time it would have been Ivon from a free-kick just outside the box. However, the youngster’s strike hit the crossbar and went out of the play.
Jovial then missed a chance just before the breather when Vasim Inamdar set up the goal-scorer though. However, the striker’s shot was way off target from an acute angle with Velsao SCC keeper Jeet Gupta covering the goal. Velsao's Chadel Fernandes had a chance to restore parity just before the breather, but he headed wide from close.
The second half was lively but there weren't as many chances created as compared to the first half. The Gaurs had a chance to double their advantage in the 53rd minute but his looping header from a free-kick hit the post. His team-mate Jovial was quick to respond to the rebound but shot wide. FC Goa finally sealed the game in the stoppage time through Mevan.
