PANAJI
Pax of Nagoa secured a commanding 2-0 win over Calangute Association in the Goa Professional League at Nagoa Panchayat Ground on Thursday.
The hosts took the lead early in the second half when substitute Shubert Pereira delivered a precise cutback for Sherwin Abranches just outside the box. Abranches made no mistake, firing a first-time shot into the bottom corner to break the deadlock. Shubert then sealed the victory in the 87th minute, dispossessing Calangute defender Edwin before calmly slotting past the goalkeeper.
After a loss to Geno FC, Nagoa’s head coach, Mateus Costa, made six changes to his lineup. Dylan DaSilva replaced the goalkeeper, and Ponif Vaz and Desmon Gama were brought into defense. Midfielder Desmon Pereira and left-winger Stephen Satarkar were also introduced, with Climax Fernandes leading the attack. On the opposite side, Calangute’s coach Marcelino Pereira made just one change, bringing in Tufel Hingora to bolster the offense.
Nagoa dominated possession, pressing high in the final third and generating several chances. Stephen Satarkar’s early low-driven shot missed the target, and a dangerous cross from Calangute’s Pandurang was cleared by Nagoa’s goalkeeper. Just before the break, Nagoa had another opportunity when Abranches’ curling corner was punched clear, but Stephen’s follow-up shot sailed wide.
The breakthrough came early in the second half. Shubert Pereira’s tactical introduction paid off as he set up Abranches for a first-time shot that put Nagoa 1-0 ahead. Shubert then struck the crossbar moments later with a powerful long-range shot. Nagoa continued to press, and in the 87th minute, Shubert dispossessed Calangute’s Edwin and sealed the win with a cool finish.
In another thrilling match at Duler Stadium, Geno FC triumphed 3-2 over Cortalim Villagers. Cortalim took the lead early with a powerful shot from Ronil Azavedo, but Geno responded after the break with two quick penalties. Nigel Fernandes converted the first, and Sidney Gauncar scored the second to give Geno a 2-1 lead. Cortalim equalized in the 84th minute with a header from Velroy Carvalho, but Geno found a dramatic winner in the dying moments. Meinam Musharaf headed in a free-kick from Velito Cruz to secure a thrilling 3-2 victory for Geno.
