MARGAO
Saligao United defeated Assonora United Football Club 2-1 in the inaugural match of the 23rd Vagator Soccer 2023 organised by Vagator Parish Youth Sports Club, at Vagator Parish Youth Sports Club Ground, on Sunday.
The first half ended in a goalless draw; a well-contested half of football where both teams cancelled out each other. On crossing ends, Saligao came out the better team with the intent to score, where a shot by Shubham Dessai hit the side netting. Within a few seconds, in the 32nd minute, Saligao took the lead where a grounded shot by Nikhil Naik from outside the box hit the far post and went in.
In the 39th minute, Saligao doubled their lead when a long ball by Govind Mahale found Shubham Dessai who cleverly lofted the ball over the head of the Assonora custodian Harsh Bhagat. Assonora United managed to pull back a goal in the 46th minute when a left-footed curler from Rakesh Samal found the back of the net.
The man of the match prize was awarded to Nikhil Naik of Saligao United by the guest of honour Fr Herculano Correia.
