the goan I network
DULER
Calangute Association Sports Club proved to be too good for Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim as they trounced them 4-1 in their GFA Goa Professional League match at Duler Stadium, here on Monday.
Once again, Nigerian Kouame Joseph -- who had scored four goals in the last league match against FC de Bardez -- did all the damage, scoring all the four goals for Calangute in the second half, while substitute Samson Simoes reduced the margin for the South Goan club.
After the impressive win, Calangute climb to the 3rd position with 32 points from 21 matches, while Cavelossim remained at the 11th place with 12 points from
17 matches.
Calangute coach Alex Alvares, after their great win over FC Bardez in the last match, made just one change by starting with U-20 player Selwyn D’Souza in place of Leslee Britto, while at the other end, Alvito Miranda and Nevile Fernandes were back in the starting XI for Cavelossim after missing out in the last match where they were held by FC de Bardez.
Calangute would have scored one of the fastest goals in the ongoing league when in the 40th second, Kouame Joseph found Blake Haldankar with a perfect lob but the latter’s strike was comfortably collected by Cavelossim keeper Razak Devsor. The South Goans too had their chances to forge ahead as they were awarded two free-kicks just outside the box, but first Rohan Kamble’s shot went just over the crossbar while Calangute keeper Jason D’Mello came with a superb save to deny Moises D’Sa. At the half-hour mark, Kouame came with another brilliant lobbed pass to Selwyn but the striker’s shot from the top of the box hit the goalpost and went out for a goal-kick.
Just ten minutes on crossing ends, the beachside team took the lead. Kouame brilliantly cut past a defender after collecting a long goalkick from his keeper Jason and moved inside the penalty box after dribbling past a defender and stylishly finished the ball in the back of the nylons to put his side into the lead. It did not take much time for the Nigerian defender to net his brace when in the 62nd minute he neatly headed in from close off substitute Josley Dias’ fine corner, 2-0.
Trailing by two goals, Cavelossim coach Severino Fernandes brought in Samson Simoes to strengthen the attack and the change paid off. Semson Fernandes sent a short pass to Samson outside the box, who darted inside the penalty and sent an adroit placement past keeper Jason, 2-1.
Hardly had the celebration died down in the Cavelossim camp and Calangute netted in their third goal. Blake Haldankar was clumsily brought down by Cavelossim defender Michael Silva in the box, prompting referee Prasad Surlekar to point to the penalty spot. Kouame scored by sending keeper Razak the wrong way to complete his hat-trick.
In the 87th minute, the Nigerian defender scored the fourth goal as he tapped in at the goalmouth, off Blake’s low cross from the right to make it 4-1 for the beachside team.
PLAYING TODAY
Churchill Brothers vs Calangute Association, Duler Stadium, 4 pm
