Salgaocar pip Cavelossim in tight GPL clash

Leny Pereira’s first-half goal earned all three points for the Green Brigade... 

Salgaocar FC registered a narrow 1-0 win over Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium earlier today.

Salgaocar had come from two goals down to hold Guardian Angle SC in the last match, whereas Cavelossim had defeated Vasco SC in the 5th round match.

Salgaocar coach Norbert Gonsalves made three changes to his side as Umesh Harijan was back in the line up after a match suspension due to double bookings, while he also gave the first start to goalkeeper S. Rajini Kumar and defender Sourabh Patil. On the other hand, Cavelossim gaffer Severino Fernandes made only one change replacing midfielder Ashley Araujo with Rohan Kamble in the starting XI.

The Green Brigade should have taken a lead in the very 3rd minutes when Gilbert Oliveira sent a perfect long ball to U-20 winger Devendra Murgaonkar but the lad failed to control the ball with just keeper to beat.

A few minutes later, Devendra saw his powerful shot hit the defender before going out for a corner, while His another sparkling shot from just inside the box was brilliantly pushed away by Rival keeper Siddesh Morje.

Cavelossim took 35 minutes to come out with their first attempt of the match as Allwyn Vaz made a square pass to Moises D’Sa outside the box who later went for the glory from the distance only to see it go wide. Two minutes later, Moises once again came with a similar shot from outside the box but this time also the midfielder failed to find the target.

Salgaocar finally surged ahead in the 39th minutes when defender Leny Pereira smartly headed between keeper and a defender, off Mackroy Peixote’s inch-perfect corner, as the Green Brigade went into the breather with a solitary goal lead.

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At the halftime, both the coaches made changes as Harmanjot Sing replaced Ribhav Sardessai for Salgaocar, while Darren Fernandes made way for Alvito Miranda for Cavelossim. 

Start of the second session saw Cavelossim coming with a quick attack when Semson Fernandes shot from outside the box but Salgaocar keeper Kumar made an excellent save.

Harmanjot quickly settled in his place and came up with two quick crosses from the right but first defender Sarbjit cleared the danger, while a few minutes later, Devendra failed to connect open header from close.

Salgaocar had the best chance to double their lead in the 54th minutes when Gilbert sent a cross to unmarked Nigerian striker Joel Sunday but the striker tap above the crossbar with just keeper to beat. At the hour mark, once again both the players involved in the similar move but this time also Sunday headed wide. 

At the other end, Semson saw his goalbound free-kick nicely pushed away for safety by Salgaocar keeper Kumar.

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Dying minutes of the match witnessed Sunday wasting one more opportunity when he was nicely fed by substitute Brian Mascarenhas but the striker shot wide from close.