Five-star Salgaocar trash Churchill Brothers in GPL

The Greens go seven points clear at the top of the table...

Salgaocar FC continued their superb run in the Goa Professional League as they registered a commanding 5-0 win over Churchill Brothers Sports Club in the match played at Tilak Maidan, Vasco earlier today.

The Red Machines’ coach Alfred Fernandes made only one change to his side which lost 4-0 against Sporting Clube de Goa as Samson Fernandes found his name in the playing XI. While Salgaocar coach Norbert Gonsalves made two changes to his side which stopped Sporting's unbeaten run in the last match as James Fernandes and Souvik Das replaced injured Brian Mascarenhas and Mackroy Peixote.  

Salgaocar were the dominant side in the entire match and took just three minutes to come up with the first chance when Don Bosco Fernandes sent a perfect cross from the right flank but first Liston Colaco failed to connect from close range and later James failed to get the ball out of hiis feet and slipped while trying to shoot. At the other end, Churchill’s Banpynkhrawnam N. tried to find Samson in the box with a low cross but Salgaocar keeper Naveen Kumar intercepted it on time to keep his side safe.

However, it was a span of just another three minutes before the Greens opened their tally. Salgaocar’s Kamo Stephane Bayi was brought down by the corner flag on the right flank by Banpynkhrawnam to give away a free-kick. James nicely curled in the same to find Stephane who brilliantly headed between the defender and the keeper Aliston Fernandes.

Keyed up by a goal, Salgaocar came up with two back-to-back attacks. First, Liston’s powerful shot from the edge of the box was nicely blocked by keeper Aliston at the cost of a corner. Later, James failed to control his chipped shot with just keeper Alison to beat. In the very next minute, Salgaocar’s Souvik got hold of a loose ball near the danger area, took some steps and blasted a sparkling shot from inside the box which breezed past keeper Aliston and settled in the back of the nylons making it 2-0 for the Vasco-based club.

Down by two goals, Churchill regrouped and produced two quick attacks. Chesterpoul Lyngdoh made an excellent run from the halfway line before blasting a scorching shot on the opponent’s goal but luck was not in his favour as the ball hit the crossbar and went out for a goal-kick. A few minutes later,  the same thing happened with his teammate Sandeep Suba when he tried his luck from distance.

Salgaocar had one last chance in the first half when Keita Boubacar set up a perfect through pass to Souvik in the box, but the midfielder failed to direct his shot and the ball went into the waiting gloves of keeper Aliston.

Surprisingly Churchill started the second half on an attacking note and came up with a quick attack right after the kick-off when striker Samson dribbled past three defenders to enter the box but failed to control his shot. This was the only chance created by the Varca-based club in the second half. 

Salgaocar replied with three more goals. First, James made an easy tap-in off Stephane’s short pass in the box. Next, Stephane scored from the spot-kick after Liston was brought down in the penalty area by defender Banpynkhrawnam.

Churchill Defender Banpynkhrawnam made a weak back-pass to keeper Aliston who failed to collect the same on time. Taking advantage of this, Liston made no mistake to make it 5-0 for the Greens.

“I am happy with the result. We drew in the first meeting so we were well prepared for this match. Today we completely dominated them (Churchill Brothers).” Salgaocar coach Norbert said after the full-time whistle.

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With today’s win, Salgaocar consolidated their top spot with 39 points from 16 matches, while Churchill have just 12 points from 16 outings and stand 8th in the league table. 

Report by Khel Now Correspondent Ravish Narvekar from Goa. A true Football enthusiast & a diehard Liverpool fan. Ravish also enjoys travelling & he's an avid foodie.