An 86th minute strike by substitute Jose Rodrigues helped Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao edge past United Club of Telaulim (UCT) 1-0 in the GFA's First Division League at Rosary Grounds, Navelim on Friday
The Goan Network
MARGAO
An 86th minute strike by substitute Jose Rodrigues helped Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao edge past United Club of Telaulim (UCT) 1-0 in the GFA's First Division League at Rosary Grounds, Navelim on Friday. There was no score at the break.
Both the teams displayed attacking flair and had equal number of scoring opportunities. United Club of Telaulim had a chance to surge ahead but Sandy Colaco spurned the easiest chance with only Taleigao goalkeeper to beat.
At the other end, Taleigao knew the job would be difficult while playing in front of Telaulim crowds and that prompted them to take a clear strategy from the beginning to stay clam and wait for the right opportunity but striker Shashank Naik was the worst offender as he missed gilt-edged scoring chances.
Midway in the opening session, Telaulim nearly broke the deadlock but rival goalkeeper Francis Fernandes came to his side's rescue by thwarting Sandy Colaco's rasping shot. Crossing over, Taleigao were a dominant lot with their forwards showing urgency and giving torrid time to the rival rearguard.
UCT had a chance to surge ahead but Jaison Dias fumbled at crucial moments after midfielder Kingsley Fernandes put him on the platter. Taleigao could have taken the lead soon after resumption when striker Shaskank Naik failed to beat rival goalkeeper Dolwin D'Costa in a one-to-one situation after Pramod Mardolkar set him up with a through pass inside the rival penalty box. At the other end, Telaulim showed desperation to break the deadlock and committed the mistake of leaving the rival forwards unmarked umpteen times but striker Shashank Naik frittered away an easy chance after playmaker Suraj Haldankar fed him inside the rival penalty box, Taleigao 's Govind unleashed a snap shot which was well blocked by UCT goalkeeper Dolwin Costa.
With time running out, Telaulim went all out in search of the match winner. First, substitute Abhijit failed to nod in off a well executed cross from Jaison Pereira and later, Jaison Dias failed to beat the rival goalkeeper. Earlier, Taleigao goal had a charmed life when midfielder Jaison Pereira's snap shot hit the post much to the dismay of Telaulim supporters.The lone goal of the match came in the 86th minute when Kristern found substitute striker Jose Rodrigues beat the rival goalkeeper Dolwin Costa hands down to give his team three full points. With this win, Taleigao collected 11 points from 7 matches while UCT stay on 6 points from same number of outings.
