PANAJI
Goa registered a fluent 2-0 win over Daman & Diu in the West Zone Qualifiers for Santosh Trophy, played at MK Bhavnagar University, Bhavnagar, Gujarat on Wednesday.
It was a slow start by both the teams where Goa played more short passes while Daman & Diu relied on long balls. The match picked up pace as the time passed by with Daman & Diu resorting to long-range shots in an attempt to find the breakthrough where Goa's goalkeeper Jason D'Mello pulled off a stunning save.
Goa broke the deadlock scoring from a set-piece. Shallum Pires sent in a perfect delivery in the area where Calvin Barreto was there in the right place at the right time to score Goa's first in the 35th minute.
Goa doubled the score in the second half scoring once again from a set-piece and it was Shallum once again with an assist. The Dempo defender whipped in another freekick which was turned into Daman & Diu net by Jovial Dias to make it 2-0. Goa had a few more chances to inflate the tally but Suraj, Calvin and Jovial missed easy chances in the game.
Goa coach Anthony Pereira stated, "It was a tough and fast-paced game. The opponents played good football but our team won the duel. We kept more of possession which made it easier in the game."
"The opponents were more compact in defence but overall the entire team gave a good account of themselves. I am happy with the performance," the coach added.
