Goa Pro League: Calangute Association ease past Velsao

Ivorian striker Kouame Kossonou played an influential role in Calangute’s victory.

Calangute Association scored in both halves as they registered an easy 2-0 win over Velsao Sports & Cultural Club in their Selvel Goa Pro League match played at the Duler Stadium on Friday.

Ivorian striker Kouame Kossonou opened the account for Calangute in the 26th minute, while Siddharth Kundair scored in the 85th minute to confirm all three points for the Beachside. 

Calangute had as many as seven new faces in their lineup as their newly-appointed coach Valentine Ezeugo fielded Vineet Bugde, Siddhant Shirodkar, Rohan Kamble, Chaitan Dabholkar, Nickson Castanha, Fulganco Cardozo along with Ivorian forward Kouame Kossonou. Velsao too had few new signings in the starting XI as Peter Carvalho, Ganesh Thakur, Ranu Singh Rajawat and Akshay Pashilkar made the cut for the South Goan club.

Calangute started the game dominantly as they took just four minutes to create their first chance of the match when Nickson came with a curling corner to Siddhant, but the forward failed to keep his header on target. A few minutes later, Calangute Association once again came with a swift attack. This time Fulganco sent a long pass to Siddhant who once again failed to make the most of the opportunity as Velsao keeper Presley Mascarenhas denied him in a one-on-one situation.

Calangute were once again unlucky in the 25th minute as Rohan saw his powerful long-ranger rebound off the goalpost. However, Kouame gave his side the lead in the very next minute as a cross from Fulganco was brilliantly headed in by the Ivorian striker to make it 1-0 for the Beachside. Calangute came close to double their lead, but Velsao defenders kept every danger at bay till the half-time.

For a good 10-15 minutes after the restart, both sides shared more or less equal amount of possession as the midfield battle was on show. However, in the 65th minute, Calangute Ivorian forward Kouame set up Chaitan with just the keeper to beat, but Velsao custodian Presley once again came off his line to block the winger in a one-on-one. Further, Calangute Association substitute Rohan Pednekar caught hold of the loose ball and Velsao shotstopper Presley yet again managed to keep his goal safe.

The next few minutes saw Calangute coming with four potent attacks, but on every occasion, they failed to convert. At first, Siddharth’s goal bound strike from close range was blocked by the goalkeeper. A few minutes later, Rohan made an individual effort from the halfway line, but failed to score from inside the box.

Then, the Beachside had the best chance to double their lead in the 79th minute when Kouame once again came with a defence-splitting pass to Rohan, but the lad shot wide with just the Velsao keeper to beat. Five minutes later, Nickson found Kouame from the corner, who headed it only to find skipper Melvin near the far post. However, the defender saw his header denied by the woodwork.

Nevertheless, in the very next minute, Calangute Association were successful in breaking the Velsao defence as Kouame sent a square pass to Siddharth whose powerful ground-level shot from the top of the box settled in the net making it 2-0 for the Beachside. Moreover, they had an opportunity to finish the match in style as just before the full-time whistle, substitute Daryl Costa went for glory from distance, but his scorching strike unfortunately hit the crossbar.