Goa Pro League: FC Goa ease past Velsao SCC, register third win

Romeo Fernandes and Kapil Hoble scored for the Junior Gaurs.

FC Goa secured their third victory following a fluent 2-0 win over Velsao Sports & Cultural Club in their Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Friday. Substitute Romeo Fernandes scored at the hour mark to put the Goans into the lead, while Kapil Hoble found the net in the added minutes to confirm the victory for the developmental side. 

FC Goa coach Deggie Cardozo made two changes to his side which won against Dempo SC in the last match. Deeshank Kunkalikar made his first start, while Christy Davis was back in the starting XI for the Junior Gaurs. On the other hand, Velsao coach Jude Barreto made the same number of changes to his side which were held by Sesa FA in their previous match as Ganesh Thakur and Rohan Rodrigues made the comeback.

The match started with both sides trying to keep the ball at their feet. However, Goans had the first chance of the match in the very 5th minute when their midfielder Delton Colaco found Kapil Hoble in the box with a low cross from the left flank. However, the latter saw his shot divingly pushed for a corner by Velsao keeper Presley Mascarenhas. They wasted another chance in the 34th minute as this time, Christy made a perfect through pass to Vasim Inamdar in the box but the U-20 midfielder shot wide from inside the box.

The Junior Gaurs had a golden opportunity to surge ahead in the 37th minute when Velsao SCC's experienced defender Peter Carvalho brought down FC Goa player Vasim in the box to gift a penalty kick to the opponents. But Kapil shot over the crossbar from the spot. Two minutes later, Velsao were also awarded a penalty-kick when FC Goa centre-back Brian Faria handled the ball in the box. But forward Jesloy Moniz's strike was brilliantly blocked by FC Goa custodian Antonio Dylan Da Silva to keep his side safe.

The start of the second half saw Gaurs making a swift run on the rivals as Delton made a low cross to Kapil in the box, but Velsao keeper Presley came forward to thwart the danger off in a one-on-one situation.

Failing to score goals, FC Goa coach Deggie brought in Romeo Fernandes to replace Lalremruata HP in the 54th minute. The former ISL star marked his presence within six minutes when Velsao keeper Presley blocked Vasim’s strike from close and the forward just made an easy tap in from close to put his side into the 1-0 lead.

Velsao also came close to equalising in the 80th minute when Brian Mascarenhas found Peter with a neat corner, but the defender failed to keep his header on target from point-blank range as the ball flew over the crossbar.

FC Goa further extended their lead in the added minutes. Velsao keeper Presley blocked Joybert Almeida’s powerful strike from outside the box, but he failed to clear the danger completely. Taking advantage of the situation, unmarked Kapil slotted the ball home from inside the box and confirmed the three points for his side.

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