Pro League action between Panjim Footballers and Salgaocar FC.
Photo Credits: The Goan Everyday
PANAJI
Panjim Footballers stunned league leaders Salgaocar Football Club with a narrow, nail-biting 1-0 win in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Saturday. Joyson Gauncar scored the lone goal of the game in the 81st minute as Salgaocar FC suffered their first defeat in eight games.
Both the teams made two changes in their line-up. Perry Pereira and Antush Moniz both came in as the U-20 players for Salgaocar FC while Vallmiky Miranda and Liston Cardozo started for the Panjim side.
It was a high-intensity game with end-to-end action. There was an early penalty claim by Panjim Footballers when Krishna Gawas was brought down in the box by Prathamesh Satardekar but referee Prasad Surlakar awarded them a free-kick just outside the box. Salgaocar had the first shot on goal and it came from a cross from Antush Moniz, which was cleanly dealt with by Panjim custodian Preston Rego. Meanwhile, at the other end, Panjim Footballers had a good chance to score when Krishna went past the Salgaocar defence and upon reaching the byline squared the ball to Lloyd Cardoz, who shot straight at keeper Jason D’Mello, who punched the ball away.
Panjim nearly conceded a goal when Preston’s poor clearance fell to Salgaocar’s Steflon D’Costa, who played it to second-half substitute Stephen Satarkar but the lad fired wide from inside the box. In the 68th minute, Panjim Footballers sent the ball into the net but it was ruled offside. Alent Colaco played Llyod Cardozo, who dribbled past two defenders and shot which was saved by the keeper but the rebound was guided into the net by Joyson Gauncar, who was in an offside position.
At the other end, Panjim custodian produced a fine save when he stopped Fhezer Gomes from scoring. The end-to-end battle saw yet another attack within minutes as Panjim rattled the post when Joyson ran down the flank and dribbled past Salgaocar defence and approaching the byline, selfishly went for the goal from a tight angle despite having two team-mates in the box. His effort hit the post and deflected off the keeper for a corner.
Jason then made a point-blank save to deny Joyson from close range. Panjim finally scored in the 80th minute as Joyson made no mistake in nodding home a cross from Cyril Dias.
