the goan I network
PANAJI
Sporting Clube de Goa registered a 5-0 win over FC Bardez to book a spot in the finals of Goa Sevens Premier League, organised by Goa Sevens and Ambelim Sports Club in association with Goa Football Association (GFA) at Ambelim Sports Complex, on Thursday.
Marcus Mascarenhas scored a hat-trick, while Ganesh Thakur and Cajetan Fernandes scored a goal each.
The Sporting team came into the semi-final off an impressive 6-0 win over Panjim Footballers. While the FC Bardez side defeated SESA FA 3-1 in the last eight round. The Flaming Oranje relied on a stable line up as they named an unchanged squad, while the Bardez team brought in Hanslum Furtado who was the star sub in the last game.
The Bardez side were the first to attack with better tactics and swing shots that tore open the Sporting back line. Jessel Carneiro came close to scoring on two attempts, but his shot was placed inches high from target. The Bardez side kept attempting to find the opening goal as Neville Albuquerque’s powerful long ranger from the half way mark was neatly tapped away by the Sporting custodian.
The first half saw a complete domination from the Bardez side who had couple of attempts to convert but failed to score. However, it was the Sporting team who took the lead just before the end of the first half as Alesh Savant crossed the ball inside to which Marcus Mascarenhas headed it in giving the team a 1-0 lead at half time.
The second half saw an equal dominance as first the Bardez side tried hard to bring parity in the score line through Inacio Colaco, but the laters shot was well caught by the keeper. The Falming Oranje kept trying to add more goals and they finally doubled their lead through Marcus again who received a well-placed cross from George Souza, 2-0.
The Bardez side managed to make it 3-0 as Cajetan Fernandes converted from the spot after the opponents committed a foul inside the danger area. The Bardez side were further added under more misery after they found themselves reduced to five men as Clinton Niasso and Jessel Carneiro received a double booking. The Sporting side took full advantage of this as Marcus Mascarenhas went on to complete his hat trick with a neat back shot that landed into the nets, while two minutes later Ganesh Thakur made it 5-0 with a slow tap into the nets.
PLAYING TODAY
GSPL 2: Semi-final 2: Goan FC vs Salgaocar FC, 5 pm, Ameblim Sport Complex, Ambelim
