PANAJI
Antush Moniz scored a last-gasp winner for Salgaocar Football Club as the Greens registered a narrow 1-0 win over Dempo Sports Club in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League.
Antush scored in the 90+1st minute for the Greens.
Salgaocar had their first shot on target in the 17th minute but Ribhav Sardesai’s dipping shot was straight to Dempo SC keeper Dylan D’Silva.
In the 21st minute, Darell Mascarenhas went through Salgaocar FC defence and out of nowhere created Dempo SC’s first real opportunity when he struck a shot from a distance, which went past the left post.
The match lacked clear cut chances as neither side tested the keepers.
Salgaocar had an opportunity from a freekick but Siddhart Kundaikar’s direct set piece went way over the crossbar.
Dempo SC’s Vieri Colaco was the most dangerous player on the field as his trickery and constant run-up in the opposition territory kept the Greens’ defence on their toes.
In the second half, Salgaocar FC made a couple of early raids through Siddarth and Stephen but both the attempts were wasted opportunities as the lads failed to create any threatening move.
Dempo’s Shallum Pires was extremely well in the Dempo SC defence throughout the game, using his experience to help his side maintain a strong shape in their defence.
In the 57th minute, Salgaocar had their first chance in the second half when Antush Moniz threaded a through pass to Daryl Costa, who took a touch on his right and fired a low grounder from the right. The effort missed the target by inches.
Saeesh had a chance to make an attempt count when he was fed by Desmon inside the box, however, with the sea of Greens in the box, the youngster fired wide. At the other end, Selwyn Miranda sent a cross from the right flank to Daryl Costa, who managed to get the header, but couldn’t direct his effort on goal.
Salgacoar FC’s Akram came up with a vital interception to deflect Darell’s shot for a corner. Darell had got past a couple of the Greens defenders before trying his luck.
In the final minutes, it was end to end battle, but it was finally Antush Moniz who scored the winning goal in the stoppage time when he was fed by Daryl on the right. The youngster smashed in a strong right footer which gave no chance for Dempo keeper D’Silva.
Shallum Pires nearly scored the equaliser but his glancing header from a corner hit the crossbar and went out of the play.
