Goa Pro League: Vasco edge Velsao, go top after decade

The Port Towners won their fourth game in the league.

Vasco Sports Club managed to top the table after a decade, following a 3-2 win over Velsao Sports & Cultural Club in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Sunday.

The Port Towners who were in good form following back-to-back victories in the last two matches against Sesa FA and Guardian Angel SC, made no changes to their lineup. Meanwhile, Velsao coach Jude Barreto brought in newly-signed experienced defender Mathew Gonsalves into the starting XI. Keeper Shivam Pednekar, Frazer Viegas, Ranu Rajawat, Viraj Naik, Dadapeer Patil and Hayden Pinto were their other six changes.

It was a shocking start for Vasco as Velsao stunned them in the just the fourth minute, when a powerful strike from Ronil Azavedo beat every opponent and settled at the far post to put Velsao into a 1-0 lead.

However, four minutes later the Port Towners restored parity with a brilliant goal in the 8th minute. Denil Rebello found Desmon Gama in the box with a fine cross. The winger easily cut past a defender in the box and shot past Velsao keeper Shivam to make it all square for his side.

It was another ten minutes into the game when Vasco surged ahead in the match. Right-back Warren Pereira nicely curled the ball to Denil in the box, who danced past a Velsao defender and slotted the ball at the far post making it 2-1 for the Port Towners.

The next few minutes saw Vasco completely dominating with possession play. However, Velsao had two chances to hit back. First Hayden could not control his shot from inside the box, while a few minutes later, Brian Mascarenhas tried to find his teammate in the box with a dangerous cross. But, Vasco defender Karan Shirodkar rescued his side with a timely clearance.

Vasco's first attack in the second half came in the 51st minute. Francisco Fernandes sent a low cross in the box to Denil. But, the central midfielder's diving header went into the waiting hands of Velsao keeper Shivam.

Though the Port Towners missed the previous opportunity, they managed to further extend their lead in the 65th minute. A long goalbound free-kick from Denil was brilliantly blocked by Velsao keeper Shivam, but he failed to clear the danger completely. Taking advantage of an out of position keeper, Anil Gaonkar smartly tapped over all the opponents making it 3-1 for Vasco.

The Port Towners had a chance to further extend their lead in the 74th minute. Substitute Hafiz Khan played a perfect corner to Denil in the box, but the unmarked midfielder could not keep his header on target from close range.

At the other end, Velsao reduced the margin in the added minutes when a long-ranger from Brian gave no chance to any opponents, as the ball finished at the far post making it 3-2.

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