PANAJI
A fine hat-trick from Steflon D’Costa enabled Salgaocar FC to a comfortable 4-0 win over Vasco Sports Club in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Sunday.
Steflon opened the scoring in the first half (39th minute) before adding two more (70’, 87’) in the second half to complete the rout. Mark Carvalho was the other player to get on the score sheet with a 47th-minute goal.
Ribhav Sardesai and Mark Carvalho were recalled in the playing XI as Salgaocar made just two changes. For Vasco, Suraj Mondal and Joaquim Abranches were named upfront while Neville Albuquerque was the third change for the Port Towners.
Salgaocar FC were up in the game from the first whistle and had their first chance in the first minute as Stephen Alvares sent a delivery in the box to Selwyn Miranda, whose header narrowly missed the target. Selwyn had another chance in the first quarter but his free-kick went straight to the keeper S Thapa, who fumbled and the ball rolled to Prathamesh Satardekar, but the latter failed to keep his effort on target.
Prathamesh saw another of his efforts saved by the Vasco custodian before he finally conceded in the 39th minute. Selwyn sent a perfect delivery in the box which found Steflon, who poked his header into the goal. Sanju Thapa was then forced to make another save to deny Mark Carvalho.
In the second half, Salgaocar FC continued their dominating display over a weak Vasco SC side who weren't at their regular best. Mark doubled the lead with a well-placed shot after receiving a pass from Valentino Nazareth from outside the box. Salgaocar scored their 70th when Steflon’s shot from the edge went past Vasco custodian Sanju, who could have done better.
Vasco had a rare opportunity in the 76th minute and the move was initiated by Abranches, who passed to Savlon Fernandes, whose shot was saved by Salgaocar keeper Jason D’Melo. Salgaocar scored the fourth through Steflon, who dribbled past Sanju with ease as the keeper poorly anticipated the run, before the striker completed his hat-trick.
