Seven-star Goa thump Madhya Pradesh in Santosh Trophy Qualifiers

Sahil Rajak scored the only goal for Madhya Pradesh against the Goans on Wednesday afternoon.

Goa outclassed Madhya Pradesh as they registered an overpowering 7-1 win in the Santosh Trophy West Zone Qualifiers 2019 group B match in Goa on Wednesday.

Goa head coach Levino Pereira made three changes to his side which won 2-0 against Rajasthan in the previous match as keeper Melroy Fernandes, defenders Sanson Pereira and Lesly Rebello made it into the cut for the host. On the other hand, Achal Raj Mishra was on the only change in the Madhya Pradesh squad which registered a thumping 4-0 win over Dadra and Nagar Haveli in their campaign opener.

Goa started the match on an attacking note and came close to scoring within the first five minutes as Velito went for the glory from the distance, however, the shot went wide.

However, Goa took the lead from a corner as this time Sanson’s well-taken corner was brilliantly tapped in by Lesly to make it 1-0 for the host.

Goa doubled the lead in the 21st minute when a shot from Chaitan Komarpant was brilliantly blocked by Madhya Pradesh keeper Mohammed Fayiz, but he failed to clear the danger completely. As a result, Devendra Murgaokar slotted the ball in the back of the nets, making the score 2-0.

A few minutes later, Madhya Pradesh keeper Fayiz came with two excellent saves as first he denied Ribhav’s strike from inside the box, while he made a diving effort to push Samuel Costa’s goalbound shot for safety.  

Goa further extended their lead in the 44th minute, when substitute Standly Fernandes, who replaced injured Lesly just a few minutes earlier, made a daunting run from the halfway line and shot past Fayiz to make it 3-0.  

In the very next minute, Goa skipper Joaquim Abranches shot over the crossbar from blank-point range.

It was just six minutes into the second half when Samuel made it 4-0 for Goa as he easily went past two opponents and finished near the far post.

At the other end, Goa's defence line made a blunder in the box as Madhya Pradesh's H Rama Swamy found Sahil Rajak, who made a clinical finish to make it 4-1 for Madhya Pradesh.

However, it was just three more minutes for Goa as they restored their four-goal lead in the 55th minute, when Joaquim dribbled past a defender in the opposition box and chipped over Fayiz to make the score 5-1.

Leading by four goals, Goa made two substitutions as they brought in Denson Fernandes and Aaren D’Silva, replacing Ribhav and skipper Joaquim.

[KH_RELATED_NEWS title="Related News"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS]

Aaren scored two goals in five minutes as first, scoring in the 80th and 85th minutes, making the score 7-1.  

In the other match which was played at Duler Stadium earlier on Wednesday, Rajasthan drubbed Dadra & Nagar Haveli 4-0. Jayesh Kumar, Gajendra Meena, Trilok Singh and Sanjay Lamba scored one each in the second half to help their side to grab all three points from the game.