MARGAO
Substitute striker Gammy Costa struck twice as Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim routed Clube Sao Miguel de Taleigao 4-0 in the GFA Pro League at Government Village School playground, Ambelim on Monday. All the goals came in the second session.
The teams were cagey at the start and took time to ascertain each other's strengths and weaknesses. As the match progressed, Santa Cruz took control as their forwards showed urgency and raided the rival goal but without success. Santa Cruz had a good chance to surge ahead when midfielder Suraj Haldankar's flag kick got deflected from rival defenders and the ball travelled to defender Franzil Negredo, who could produce a wayward shot from close range.
Santa Cruz nearly broke the deadlock in the 25th minute but midfielder Moises D'Sa's feeble push from handshaking distance went straight into the safe hands of Taleigao goalkeeper Rohan Sheikh after Joshuah Vaz had laid the former on the platter. At the other end, Taleigao -- who were struggling to catch up with their rivals' brisk pace -- had a first chance in the 31st minute when midfielder Gautam Dias found striker Jerose Olveira inside the rival penalty box, but rival defender Joaquim Carvalho made a clearance before Jerose could do any damage.
In the second half, Santa Cruz continued to attack and soon after resumption midfielder Suraj Hadonkar failed to direct his shot into the goal after striker Mathew Coalco's snap shot deflected from a rival defender. Taleigao too had a chance to break the deadlock but Guatam Dias fumbled to connect a well measured pass from Yogendra Thapa.
Santa Cruz's first breakthrough finally came in the 69th minute when attacking midfielder Suraj sent a defence splitting pass inside the rival box and central defender, captain Cresson Antao moved upfront and placed the ball to the far corner of the net.With the introduction of Gammy Costa and Daulat Dessai upfront, the Santa Cruz attack looked more sharp.
They soon got their second goal in the 75th minute when Suraj saw his snap shot from the left deflect from the rival defenders and rebound and a lurking Gammy hit the post and the ball eluded the goalkeeper to give his team a 2-0 cushion. Joshuah Vaz put the issue beyond doubt when he converted a spot kick after Taleigao defender Krishnanth Shirodkar brought down Gammy inside the penalty box in the 83rd minute. In a beautiful exhibition of swift passing, Suraj played a brilliant one-two and threaded it forward to Gammy, who drilled the ball past Rohan Shaik to make it 4-0 in the 86th minute.
