MAPUSA
The first session was keenly contested with both sides looking to dictate terms to the opposition.
The first look at goal came in the 13th minute when Milind Shinde, the Policemen captain unleashed a powerful rightfooter from around 35 yards out towards goal but the rival goalkeeper, Rohan Sheikh thwarted the threat with a brilliant effort.
From the other end, Salgaocar FC (Jrs) young striker Ronaldo Oliveira had the first strike on target in the 20th minute but his feeble effort was easily taken care of by the Policemen custodian, Niklesh Naik.Goa Police had another chance in the 23rd minute when Siddesh Narvekar muffed up a neat cross received from the right with his ensuing strike going over the horizontal. Five minutes later, Salgaocar Fc (Jrs) young forward Ronaldo on receiving a well-directed pass from midfield ran in with the ball towards goal-mouth with Policemen’s Swanand Naik hot on his heels but the opposition custodian stood up to the task. On the half hour mark, Ronaldo’s goal-bound strike from close range was saved by the Policemen goalkeeper but the deflection off the custodian found the boots of another U-20 year-old player, Denil Rebello who struck home. The Policemen restored parity three minutes later when Sachin Chopdekar made most of a good long ball and the opposition custodian’s fatal error of advancing towards the ball with two defenders in line to bulge the nets.
Salgaocar Juniors could have regained the lead in the 41st minute when substitute Stephen Satarkar split the defence and found Ronaldo on the edge of the six-yard box on his left but shot wide off target. Post resumption, in the 51st minute, Goa Police’s mercurial captain Milind Shinde’s threat was averted by an alert Salgaocar Juniors defender. With the introduction of star young Salgaocars Jrs forward, Liston Colaco in the 55th minute, the pace of the game was enlivened further and the side began to gain momentum over the opposition. A swirling Liston corner-kick towards the goal was well-anticipated by the Policemen custodian, who looked sharp in goal. In the 73rd minute, Salgaocar Jrs’ Denil Rebello made a brilliant attempt at goal from 35 yards out but the opposition goalkeeper stood firm. Five minutes hence, the Policemen had a chance from their end when Abdul Khan’s cross found Sachin Chopdekar in front of the goal late to react to edge his side ahead.
Stepping up to take a free-kick with team-mate, Ronaldo brought down just outside the penalty box, Liston curling strike sailed over the Policemen’s wall to give Salgaocar Jrs the lead in the 85th minute. A minute later, Salgaocar Jrs thudded either end of the rival woodwork but luck was fortuitous with the Policemen with substitute Stephen Satarkar and Ronaldo’s efforts going in vain. Against the run of play Ronaldo’s assist to Stephen helped Salgaocar secure a well-deserved 3-1 win.
