PANAJI
Krishnanath Shirodkar scored a stoppage-time header to help Calangute Association score a thrilling 3-2 win over Guardian Angel SC in the Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Saturday.
Siddhant Shirodkar put Calangute ahead with a brace (3’, 46’) while Basanta Singh (54’) and Gilbert Oliveira (81’) scored for Guardian Angel to level the scoreline.
Guardian Angel made two changes while Calangute Association rang in three changes from their previous defeat against YC Manora. Calangute Association took just three minutes to break the deadlock as they capitalised on a goalkeeper howler. Sidharth Kundaikar passed to Kouame Junior, who shot first time from the left flank. Keeper Ram Saroop failed to collect the ball cleanly and the ball rolled to Siddhant, who slammed the ball into the net.
Guardian Angel's Yunal Fernandes, on receiving a pass from midfield, darted into the box and hit a low feeble shot which didn’t trouble the Calangute Association keeper Paramveer Singh. Later, Beneston Barreto saw his effort, connecting a Yunal delivery, narrowly miss the mark.
Calangute Association played better football and came close to scoring their second when Jirjar Terang sent in a dangerous ball to Sidharth, who managed to connect a left-foot volley, but the effort was straight to the keeper. Paramveer then made a brilliant save to deny Beneston, when he tried rounding the keeper.
Calangute came back stronger in the second half and took just 31 seconds to double the lead. Kouame Junior played Chaitan Dabholkar, who sent a low ball in the area to Siddhant, who scored his second of the evening.
In the 54th minute, Guardian Angel pulled a goal back when Leny Fernandes played a long pass to Beneston, whose first touch beat the Calangute last man and upon entering the box, he shot at goal but the Calangute custodian blocked the attempt. The ball, however, rolled to Basanta Singh, who slotted home to reduce the deficit.
Guardian Angel then scored a stunner to draw level in the 81st minute. Beneston attempted a shot from a tight angle which was parried away by the keeper but the ball fell to Gilbert Oliveira, who connected a brilliant volley to hit the top right corner.
Calangute scored a late winner in the injury time through Krishnanath. Nickson Castanha’s freekick hit the crossbar and the ball travelled to Krishnanath, who guided the ball into the net with a fine header.
