the goan I network
DULER
Calangute Association registered a 2-0 win over Panjim Footballers in the GFA Professional League in a floodlit match here on Wednesday. It was, however, surprising to see the low turnout of fans for Calangute’s league match.
Calangute Association having won their last league match against Corps of Signals 2-0, came in the earnest to return home with another win. While at the other end, Panjim Footballers having lost their last match against Sporting Clube de Goa 4-1, put in a lot of effort to snatch a victory. Both team’s coaches fielded a foreigner in their respective starting line-up.
Calangute coach Alex Alvares fielded Kouame M. Joseph in defence, while Panjim Footballers coach Savio Vaz brought in Alphonse Shako into the midfield.
Starting strongly, Calangute launched repeated raids on the Panjim outfit, but goalkeeper Gurpreet twice brought off saves to deny Leslee Britto and Dominic Fernandes from scoring. Panjim Footballers, who shone in patches had just one good attempt at the rival goal where a cross by Mahesh Kumar from the left flank, saw goalkeeper Jaison D’Mello leap high to collect the ball. However in the process, he injured himself and was replaced by Sumit Das in the goal.
On crossing over, Calangute coach brought striker Omkar More from the bench and the tempo of the attack ascended for the beach-side boys.
In the 50th minute, Omkar got hold of a mis-clearance from defender Schubert D’Costa and darting inside the penalty box, scored with a neat placement. It was once again goalkeeper Gurpreet, who came with a breathtaking save to deny Dominic Fernandes from scoring in one-to-one situation.
Omkar almost netted his second goal, but was timely thwarted by goalkeeper Gurpreet in an one-to-one situation. Calangute doubled their lead in the 65th minute when a corner by Dominic was poorly anticipated by goalkeeper Gurpreet to find Nigerian Kouame M. Joseph nod the ball into the goal.
