PANAJI
A narrow 1-2 defeat against Salgaocar FC meant that FC Goa wrapped up their GFA TACA Goa U20 First Division League campaign with a third place finish following their final matchday at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa on Saturday.
The Gaurs began the game on a strong note, scoring from their very first chance in the 2nd minute. A lovely ball in from the right flank found Mallikjan Kalegar in the box, and the defender wasted no time in slotting the ball into the net. Their joy would be short-lived though as it did not take long for Salgaocar to equalise as Shubham Shirvoikar’s strike beat Goa goalkeeper Bob Jackson on the near post in the 6th minute.
A first-half charecterised by end-to-end footballing action would finish with the sway firmly in favour of Salgaocar after the boys in Green were awarded a penalty at the fag end of the period. Umang Gaikwad stepped up and successfully converted his spot-kick in what proved to be the final action of the first 45 minutes.
Coming back after the break, FC Goa amped up their efforts in search of the equaliser and came close to finding it in the 59th and 66th minute. Salgaocar’s goalkeeper Vishal, however, was up to the task as he first saved Lalremruata’s volleyed attempt before parrying away Jovial Dias’ goal-bound header.
Vishal continued to have a good shift for the rest of the game as well, as he denied the Gaurs three more times in the last thirty minutes. The Boys in Orange, threw the kitchen sink at the Salgaocar backline but ultimately their efforts proved futile as Salgaocar bagged all three points. In 11 matches, Cardozo’s boys won seven, drew one and lost three to wrap up their campaign with 22 points - finishing third behind Dempo and Salgaocar.
