FC Goa down Calangute Association to go top of Goa Pro League

The Junior Gaurs are yet to lose a game in this campaign.

FC Goa registered an easy 3-1 win over Calangute Association in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Thursday. Brison Fernandes opened the tally for the Junior Gaurs in the 17th minute, while FC Goa keeper Hansel Coelho’s error resulted in an own-goal that helped the Beachside club level back in the 48th minute. However, two quick goals from Aditya Salgaonkar (71) and Vasim Inamdar (79) helped Goa secure the win. They climb back in the pole position, with 14 points from six outings. 

Calangute made only one change to their side which earned a point against Sesa FA in the last match. Russel Marion was handed a start. On the other hand, FC Goa coach Deggie Cardozo chose to go with the same XI which held Churchill Brothers SC to a 1-1 draw in the previous match.

The Junior Gaurs made an attacking start to the match as they continuously raided the rivals from the kick-off. However, the Calangute defence led by Melwin Lobo and Umesh Puja, along with Nickson Castanha and Aniket Thakur kept danger at bay.

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However, they could not stop FC Goa from taking the lead in the 17th minute. Mevan Dias made a swift run in the box and cut it back to Brison Fernandes, who blasted it in the goal from just inside the box to put his side ahead.

The Beachside club also had a chance to make it all square within the next four minutes. Ganesh Thakur found Chaitan Dabholkar in the box with a short pass, but the winger shot wide. They came with another swift attack in the 28th minute. Jesloy Moniz snatched the ball from Manushawn Fernandes before darting in the box. However, FC Goa defender Brison made a timely interception to clear the danger.

The rest of the half witnessed intense attacking from Calangute, but none of their raids could make any impact until half-time. The Junior Gaurs entered the dressing with a slender lead at the break.

It was just three minutes in the second half when Calangute managed to level back through an own-goal. FC Goa keeper Hansel Coelho made a blunder to clear a back-pass and the ball rolled into the net, making it 1-1. Calangute had a chance to surge ahead within the next five minutes. Jesloy and Ganesh Thakur nicely jelled up in a move where Ganesh setup his teammate with a brilliant through pass in the box. However, Jesloy who easily dribbled past the Junior Goa keeper Hansel, but missed the target by a few inches.

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At the other end, FC Goa came close to scoring in the 69th minute. Brison sent a perfect corner to Manushawn, whose header from just outside the six-yard box hit the crossbar before going out for a goal-kick. However, the ISL development side managed to restore their lead in the 71st minute. After getting a square pass from Brison, Aditya Salgaonkar fired a shot from the top of the box which hit the crossbar and rebounded off Calangute custodian Paramveer Singh to give FC Goa the lead.

The Junior Gaurs further extended their lead in the 79th minute. A shot from Ivon Costa was intercepted by his teammate Vasim Inamdar. The substitute made no mistake to find the net.

In the dying minutes of the match, Calangute came with a series of attacks, but could not find the net. In one of their swift attacks, Jesloy tried his luck from the edge of the box only to see it denied by the woodwork.

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