Goa Pro League: Velsao stun Guardian Angel to secure second consecutive win

With the win, the Mormugao-based side climbed to 8th position with seven points from eight matches.

Velsao Sports & Cultural Club climbed up from the bottom of the table with a solitary goal win over Guardian Angel Sports Club in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Wednesday. Savelon Cardozo scored the all-important goal for the Mormugao side in the 44th minute.

Velsao coach Jude - who was back after missing out in the last match win against Panjim Footballers - made two changes to his side against Guardian Angel as Umesh Pujar and Deryl Silva were back in the XI. On the other hand, Tyson Carvalho and Kiran were the two changes in the Angels side which lost to Churchill Brothers in their previous match.

After an attacking play, Angels should have taken the lead in the 8th minute when Jovial Dias made a short pass to their forward Beneston Barretto who cut past a defender to enter the box and blast at the goal from inside the box. The sparkling shot kissed rival keeper’s gloves before hitting the crossbar and went out for a corner.

Velsao took control of the match after struggling in the first few minutes and came with their attack of the match in the 13th minute as their defender Brian Mascarenhas made a swift run from box to box and tried his luck with powerful grounder but it missed the target by few inches. The Mormugao side once again came close to scoring in the 15th minute as this time Brian went for glory from a 25-yard freekick which rebound off the side post, hit Angels keeper Ram Saroop’s head and went out for a corner.

They had another opportunity to surge ahead in the 21st minute when their U20 midfielder Rohan Rodrigues made a darting run and shot from outside the box but Angels keeper Ram dived to his left to push a goalbound strike for a corner.

After probing attacks, the Mormugao side finally managed to break the deadlock a minute before halftime as Rohan sent a fine cross in the box which was intervened by Angels defender Benzu Clement. The ball travelled to Savelon Cardozo whose first attempt was nicely blocked by defender Leny Fernandes. However, Savelon managed to take control of the ball once again and fired a left-footer directly in the back of the net to put his side ahead at halftime.

Angels showed urgency to find the equaliser after changing the ends as they came close to scoring in the very 1st minute of the second session. Kimran Fernandes made a perfect cross to Basanta Singh in the box whose header was brilliantly blocked by Velsao keeper Presley Mascarenhas.

 A few minutes later, they had another opportunity to level back as substitute Joel Baretto curled the ball to Kimran in the box but the midfielder could not connect from close as Velsao keeper made an easy collection. The Curchorem side came with another swift attack in the 81st minute as this time Joel easily danced past two opponents in the box and tried to find his teammate with a low cross but Velsao custodian Presley intervened with a diving effort. However, Velsao keeper could not hold it for long as the ball slipped off his gloves and entering into his own goal but Brian made a goalline clearance to keep his side safe.

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