DULER
Salgaocar Football Club registered a solitary goal win over Calangute Association in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Wednesday.
The Greens’ Daryl Costa scored the lone goal of the game in the 33rd minute to hand his side the first three points of the season.
Salgaocar FC were in total control of the game and started attacking early in the game. Malappa Bizzardi had his free-kick miss narrowly and then Stephen Alvares also had a shot attempted from inside the box, however, the latter’s left-footed shot narrowly went past the side post.
With Calangute Association playing more of high line, Salgaocar FC played long balls in the area. After trying similar tactics, where Daryl was denied once by the Calangute keeper Presly Mascarenhas but they finally managed to break the deadlock at the half-hour mark.
Daryl Costa was played with a long ball from the midfield and the striker lobbed the ball over the onrushing keeper from outside the box. The keeper and Calangute defence should have done better considering the style of play indulged by The Greens. Umesh Pujar, the defender of Calangute was outstanding in the first half.
In the 37th minute, Daryl was handed with a similar ball in the area. However, this time Umesh did well to clear the ball for a corner which came to nothing.
Just before the break, Daryl was brought down just outside the box and from the resultant freekick, Siddhart hit straight to the keeper.
Godfrey and Rosario Barreto were the only ones to attempt shots in the area which didn’t create much trouble for Salgaocar keeper Jason D’Mello.
In the second half, Salgaocar FC continued with their similar play wherein Calangute’s high defence line made it easier for them. But then Calangute enjoyed better position throughout the second half. Though dominating, they couldn’t create any threatening moves.
Daryl had a chance to inflate the lead in the dying minutes of the game. However, Calangute keeper this time around showed his composure and didn’t leave the goal and denied Daryl a chance to score.
Calangute’s Rohan had his freekick attempts wasted in the game. But his injury-time set-piece nearly created a chance for his team but his teammate headed straight to the keeper.
