Calangute Assn show grit in 2-1 win over Sesa FA

PANAJI

Calangute Association combined patience with clinical finishing to secure a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Sesa FA in a tightly contested Goa Professional League clash, climbing to fourth place in the standings.

Calangute showed early intent when Domnic Fernandes surged into the penalty area and unleashed a shot that drifted narrowly wide. Sesa FA responded promptly, with Vignesh Naik testing goalkeeper Aditya Sharma, who made a comfortable save. The intensity picked up when Kreepal Dhargalkar was booked for a foul on Vishesh Nasnodkar, adding an edge to the contest.

What followed was a midfield battle marked by determination rather than creativity, with both teams struggling to convert possession into clear chances. The goalless scoreline at half-time reflected a half dominated by discipline and caution.

The second half resumed with increased urgency, as both sides sensed that a single goal could decide the outcome. Sesa FA came closest around the hour mark when Saimesh Gaonkar’s well-struck effort was dramatically cleared off the line by the Calangute defence. Another booking, this time for Pradip Aheibam, highlighted the growing tension.

The breakthrough arrived when Calangute earned a free-kick that led to a decisive moment inside the box. A foul by Aditya Salgaonkar resulted in a penalty, and Nasnodkar stepped up to calmly convert, giving Calangute a crucial 1–0 lead.

Sesa FA pushed forward in search of an equaliser, committing numbers in attack, but Calangute’s defence held firm. The decisive second goal came through a moment of quality, as captain Jovito Fernandes delivered a pinpoint cross that Joywin Carneiro finished with composure to double the advantage.

Sesa FA mounted a late surge, and deep into stoppage time, Likson Rebello produced a spirited run from midfield before slotting past the advancing goalkeeper to pull one back. However, the effort came too late to change the outcome.

The victory lifts Calangute from sixth to fourth place in the league standings.