THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Panjim Footballers registered a solitary goal win over Youth Club of Manora in the Goa Football Association’s Selvel Goa Professional League, at Duler Stadium on Sunday. Chandan Gawas scored the lone goal of the game in the 48th minute.
Panjim Footballers made three changes from their earlier league defeat against Guardian Angel as Pandurang Gauns, Lokesh Kumar and Chandan started the game. For Manora, seasoned campaigner Luis Barretto and Nicholas Fernandes featured in the starting XI.
Manora, the debutant side, surprised the opponents with a dominating display in the opening quarter. They maintained the shape and enjoyed more possession as Panjim players struggled to keep the ball at their feet. But that was it. Both sides failed to create any real chances in the session.
Manora had an opportunity when they were awarded a freekick outside the box. But Panjim defender Akram Yadwad blocked Nicholas’ set-piece to concede a corner. The resultant corner saw Nicholas’ delivery drop between a clutch of Manora players and go out for a goalkick.
Panjim Footballers found it difficult to crack the Manora defence and their strikers struggled to get the final shot at goal. However, Akash Sanadi, who was constantly trying to feed the strikers, took the matters into his own hands when he tried a long-range shot. His shot had the power and swirl but received an equally brilliant answer from keeper Barreto, who dived fully to his left to push the ball out for a corner.
Panjim side came stronger in the second session and took the lead in the 48th minute in what was their first real attempt on target. Lloyd Cardozo played a grounder through to Chandan on the right of the box and the latter shot a firm grounder to find the back of the net, despite Barreto making an attempt.
In the 87th minute, Lloyd played a long aerial through in the box to an unmarked Ashok Mehgeri, who delayed in taking his shot which was ultimately blocked by a Manora defender.
