Velsao edge Guardian Angel for consecutive wins in Goa Pro League

The Mormugao-based club secured consecutive wins in GPL.

Velsao Sports and Cultural Club came from a goal down to beat Guardian Angel 2-1 in the Goa Professional League on Sunday. Sahil Bhokare gave Angels the lead in the first half injury-time. However, Anirav Sarkar levelled the scores in the 57th minute for Velsao. Ronil Azavedo then scored the winner for Velsao in the 85th minute.

Keeper Shivam Pednekar, Johnson Horta, Sahil, Milroy Clement, Rosario Mendes, Gulganco Cardozo and Nicholas Rodrigues were the few changes for the Curchorem side, which lost to Churchill Brothers in their last game. Whereas, Velsao who secured their maiden win against Panjim Footballers made only one change. Coach Eban Mesquita gave start to goalkeeper Vipin Sharma.

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Velsao had the best opportunity to score in an otherwise cagey affair in the first half. First, Rohan Rodrigues sent a cross to Cajetan Fernandes in the box, whose header missed the target narrowly. They missed another opportunity in the 32nd minute. This time, Chandel Fernandes saw his long-distance strike rebound off the top-right. The ball rolled to Cajetan, who had the goal at his mercy. However, the assistant referee raised the flag as the midfielder failed to beat the offside trap.

Angels had their first potent chance in the 40th minute when James Fernandes found Nicholas with a curled cross. But, Nicholas' goalbound header was parried away for a corner. The Curchorem side, eventually, managed to surge ahead in added time. Forward Sahil snatched the ball from Velsao’s Velito D’Cruz and shot past their keeper Vipin to put his side ahead at half time.

Velsao, who were trailing by a goal, came out all attacking after the break. They should have levelled scores in the very first minute of the second half. But Rosario Mendes cleared the danger before James Fernandes could make a move. Velsao eventually found the equaliser in the 57th minute from a set-piece situation. Substitute forward Anirvan Sarkar made most of Angels' half-cleared free-kick to slot home the equalizer.

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Pepped up, the Mormugao-based club came with a series of attacks on the rivals. Angels keeper Shivam produced back-to-back saves to keep the scores level. He first dived to his left to collect Chandel’s strike. A few minutes later Shivam also blocked Velito's goalbound strike.

Guardian Angels suffered another blow in the 72nd minute when they were reduced to 10 men after defender Fulganco was given marching orders for head-butting Velsao midfielder Cajetan.

Velsao took advantage and scored the winner in the 85th minute. Romario Da Costa made a perfect through pass to Ronil Azavedo, whose quick shot from inside the box gave no chance to Angels’ diving keeper Shivam, making it 2-1. 

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