PANAJI
FC Goa made a flying start in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) National Group Stage with a convincing 3-0 victory over Sreenidi Deccan FC at the Bangalore Football Stadium on Wednesday.
Leewan Castanha, Makan Chothe, and Versly Paes were on target to help the Young Gaurs start their national campaign strongly. The win also extends the side's unbeaten run in the competition to 11 games after going through the Goa group unscathed earlier this month.
FC Goa head coach Deggie Cardozo named a strong starting XI against Sreenidi Deccan, including first-teamers Hrithik Tiwari, Nikhil Prabhu, and Chothe. The Goan outfit dominated the proceedings from the outset, making their intentions clear early in the game.
Castanha, who has an I-League campaign under his belt from his time on loan with Indian Arrows, opened the scoring for the Boys in Orange in the 16th minute with a well-placed shot that nestled in the bottom right corner of the net. Sreenidi tried to mount a comeback but Goa's defence showed character, denying them any clear-cut opportunities.
In the 27th minute, Chothe doubled the Gaurs' lead with a brilliant finish that showcased his presence of mind. The youngster made a deep run to latch onto a forward ball coming in from the midfield before firing a shot that the keeper saved. Chothe, however, was not denied a second time, making the most of the keeper's spill following the save to effect a first-time finish into the bottom right corner.
In the second half, Sreenidi Deccan FC came out with more attacking intent, but they were unable to break down FC Goa's resolute backline. In stoppage time, Versly Paes put the icing on the cake by laying the game to rest with a clinical finish after being set up by a beautiful free-kick from skipper Rayan Menezes.
The win puts FC Goa in second place in the Bengaluru Group, level on points with leaders Kerala Blasters, who defeated LiFFA Trivandrum earlier the same day. Cardozo and his boys have an opportunity to leapfrog the Southerners to the top of the table on April 29 when they clash against Kerala in their next match at the Bangalore Football Stadium.
