PANAJI
Anil Gaonkar scored a fine brace to help Vasco Sports Club score a fluent 2-0 win over Guardian Angel SC in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Sunday.
Anil scored a goal in either half as the Curchorem side weren’t at their best against the Port Towners. Vasco SC had the first real chance in the game when Anil made space on the right flank and upon entering the box, played a cut-back to Denil Rebello, who left the ball for an unmarked Desmon Gama. The last-named placed the ball at the far post but the Guardian Angel keeper was there to make a fine save.
Guardian Angel SC came close to scoring when they were awarded a freekick outside the box. Gilbert Oliveira’s curler beat the wall but narrowly missed the side post. The Curchorem side had another chance to take the lead when Beneston Barretto worked his way on the right flank and sent a low cross in the box to Mevan Dias and the U-20 forward connected brilliantly only to see his effort go wide.
At the other end, Vasco were denied by the crossbar when Francisco Fernandes sent in a cross to an unmarked Desmon Gama, whose header crashed on to the horizontal. However, Vasco SC scored within moments in the 45+4’ when Sanwil D’Costa sent in a cross in the area for Anil, who this time made no mistake in sending the ball into the back of the net.
In the second half, Guardian Angel had a great chance to draw level. Gilbert sent in a cross from the right as Basant Singh was waiting in the box. However, just before Singh could connect, Kuldeep timed his jump in time to win the ball against the opponent. James Fernandes came with a goalline clearance when he denied Anil his second from a Denil’s corner.
Vasco SC doubled the lead in the 68th minute and it was Denil who provided an assist to Anil with a good low cross, where the last-named delightfully headed in to make it 2-0.
