the goan I network
MARGAO
A brilliant hat-trick by in-form striker Ronaldo Olveira helped Salgaocar FC Juniors maul Cuncolim Union 5-0 in the Geno GFA’s First Division League at SAG Artifical Turf, Fatorda on Sunday. The result means Cuncolim Union’s chances of making it to the first-four, are in jeopardy.
Salgaocar Juniors showed their attacking intent from the very first minute itself as Ronaldo Olveira and Stephen Satarkar made life difficult for Cuncolim Union defenders. Ronaldo put his team in front in the very 1st minute when he beat the rival goalkeeper off an assist from Stephen Satarkar after Rana Gomes committed a defensive mistake.
Three minutes later, Cuncolim Union doubled the lead when Ronaldo struck for the second time off Stephen’s cross. Stung by that setback, Cuncolim Union tried their best to come back into the game and striker Necil Pinto tried his luck in the 15th minute but his shot was well-blocked by Salgaocar Juniors goalkeeper Dipanjan Debnath.
After that minor scare, Salgaocar Juniors should have inflated their tally but striker Ronaldo’s rasping shot went wide from close range. Salgaocar Juniors put the issue beyond doubt in the 43rd minute when midfielder Chaitan Komarpant punished the rival goalkeeper with neat finish off captain Arif Pathan’s pass.
The second half did not bring any relief to the shattering morale of Cuncolim Union as Salgaocar Juniors attacked from both the flanks. At the other end, Salgaocar nearly increased their tally when striker Ronaldo hit the post.
Salgaocar Juniors made it 4-0 in the 51st minute when Selwyn Miranda attempted from inside the rival penalty box and the clearance travelled to midfielder Arif Pathan, who without wasting much time put the ball into the far corner of the net. Ronaldo, who was in the thick of the action, completed his hat-trick beating the rival goalkeeper off Arif Pathan in the 84th minute.
