THE GOAN NETWORK
MAPUSA
On a rainy evening, Nigerian striker Odafa Okolie scored two important goals as Sporting Clube de Goa beat Curtorim Gymkhana 5-1 in the Goa Professional League (Round 3) match at Duler stadium, here, on Monday. At half time the score was locked at 1-1.
In the very first minute, Curtorim’s Hanslym Furtado crossed to Josly Costa who attempted to open the score but failed to do so as his shot hit the crossbar. In the 8th minute, Curtorim’s Ivon Colaco picked up a yellow card for a foul tackle on Odafa. Two minutes later Cajetan Fernandes took a free kick but did not mange to convert as Muhamad Shaikh, the keeper of Curtorim made a good block.
In the 24th minute, Sporting’s Cajetan attempted a free kick which was further headed wide by Glan Martins. In the 29th minute, Sporting made their first substitution as they replaced Ponif Vaz with Ganesh Thakur. The Flaming Oranje’s Delbert Fernandes sent a cross to Odafa in the 36th minute, who took a shot on goal but was cleared well by the Curtorim keeper.
Clemente Joseph brought down Curtorim’s Xavier Dias in the 42nd minute and Hanslym Furtado converted this opportunity into the first goal for his side off a free kick taken by him. The Nigerian striker, Odafa came in powerful and scored the equalizer for Sporting off a pass from Ganesh Thakur during injury time. In the first half Sporting had five shots on goals compared to Curtorim who had barely three shots on goal.
Post resumption as it went from hot sun to wet monsoon rain, the Flaming Oranje looked all pumped up with the young fans cheering loudly from the stands. In the 47th minute, Odafa crossed to Ganesh who braced in a beautiful shot and increased the lead margin 2-1. Ten minutes later sporting substituted Delbert with Sumeet Passi. Two minutes after which Curtorim made their first switch by replacing Sagar Salunke with Gopi Rao. In the 70th minute Curtorim made another substitution by pulling out Josly Costa and sending in Faizal Bepari.
In the 77th minute, Ganesh crossed over to Sumeet who tried to score but the shot was blocked by rival keeper Muhamad Shaikh. Soon after, Curtorim made another substitution to strengthen their defence and replaced Tryson D’Costa with Clifton Fernandes. In the 78th minute, Franzil Negrado netted in the ball off a corner kick taken by Cajetan. Ten minutes later, Curtorim’s Arjones Amor essayed a cross to Hanslym who headed the ball but failed to convert as it was cleared by the rival keeper Kamaljit Singh.
During injury time, Odafa netted the fourth goal for his side. A minute later, it was all smiles for Sporting Clube de Goa when Ganesh logged in fifth goal for his side.
Scorebox
Sporting Clube de Goa 5 (Odafa Okolie 45+, Ganesh Thakur 47, Franzil Negrado 78, Odafa Okolie- 90+, Ganesh Thakur 90+) beat Curtorim Gymkhana 1 (Hanslym Furtado 44)
Half-time: 1-1
Matchbox
Curtorim Gymkhana Sporting Clube de Goa
5 Shots on goal 11
3 Fouls 6
6 Free kicks 3
6 Corners 4
2 Yellow Cards 0
0 Red Cards 0
