MARGAO
Pax of Nagoa Sports Club's winning run came to an end as they went down fighting to Churchill Brothers FC 0-1 in the GFA's Goa Professional League match, at Nagoa Panchayat Sports Complex, on Tuesday.
It was in the second minute when Churchill's Phezer Gomes converted a spot kick after the rival defender tackled him from behind.
Pax of Nagoa are now two points adrift of leaders Dempo SC who are on 26 points. Meanwhile at Sirsaim ground, Sporting Clube de Goa salvaged a point against Geno FC after Doyal Alves' second-half penalty cancelled out Kuldeep Kumar's swift strike. The Flaming Oranje and Pax of Nagoa are now on 24 points based on the outcome of the Tuesday’s results.
Churchill's victory stemmed from Gomes' converted penalty after a reckless Nagoa tackle. While Nagoa threatened through woodwork-rattling attempts and long-range strikes, they squandered their best chance when Delton Colaco, sent through by Shubert Pereira, failed to control the ball before the goalkeeper.
Sporting's late equaliser was equally dramatic. After trailing to Kuldeep Kumar's clinical finish, set up by MD Shahjahan's exquisite free-kick, Alves coolly converted a penalty in the 55th minute to send the keeper the wrong way and ensure a share of the spoils.
At Duler Stadium, Mapusa, the GFA U-15 Khelo India Women's League, was inaugurated by Apoorva Manda, Asst Director SAI regional Centre, Mumbai in the presence of GFA President Dr Caitano Fernandes, General Secretary Adlear D'Cruz, GFA Members Laximan Hadfadkar, Uday Lingudkar, U20 Women's Team Head Coach Maymol Rocky and others. Vintage 73 SC snatched a 2-1 win over Quitula SCC overcoming Mrunmavi Pednekar's opener.
In the GFA U-15 Division II League Laxmi Prasad SC were humbled 5-0 by Ucassaim SC, with Cyrus Fernandes grabbing a hat-trick. Portais SC edged FC Mardol 1-0 thanks to Mehbooh Khan's early strike.
Siddheshwar SCC dominated Dunes SC 4-2 in the GFA U-13 Division II Super League, powered by Sarthak Khadgkar's brace.
