GPL 2019-20: Sesa FA come from behind to beat Salgaocar

Kunal Salgaonkar and Olvin Cardozo scored the goals for the eventual winners.

Two quick goals from Kunal Salgaonkar and Olvin Cardozo helped Sesa FA script a 2-1 comeback win over Salgaocar Football Club in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Thursday. Devendra Murgaonkar scored in the 86th minute for the Greens. Whereas, the Sesa forwards scored in the 89th and 90th minute to secure a win for their side.

Salgaocar coach Levino Pereira made no changes to his side which had blanked Corps of Signals in the last match. Meanwhile, Sesa coach Charles Dias also chose to go with the same side which went down to Dempo SC in the previous match.

The Academy boys started attacking from the kick-off, as they came close to scoring in the very first minute. Forward Mark Barreto shot on goal from just inside the box, but the ball hit the Salgaocar defender Daniel Gomes before going out for a corner.

They had another chance in the 6th minute, when Salgaocar keeper Jason D’Mello delayed clearing a back-pass from his teammate Daniel. However, he managed to clear the danger in time, but the ball hit Sesa forward Olvin Cardozo and went out for a goal-kick.

Sesa had two more opportunities in the next 25 minutes. First, Richard Cardozo's struck from 25-yards, but his sparkling shot was brilliantly fisted over the crossbar by Salgaocar keeper Jason. A few minutes later, Richard came up with a neat cross to Sandeep S. in the box, but the lad’s shot missed the target narrowly.

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At the other end, Salgaocar winger Ribhav Sardesai nicely curled the ball to Devendra Murgaonkar in the box, but the striker failed to keep his header on target.

At half-time, Salgaocar coach Levino brought in Selwyn Miranda to replace U-20 winger Ribhav.

On crossing over, both the sides had a chance each to surge ahead. First, Sesa skipper Melvin Lobo went for glory from a long free-kick, but his scorching shot was brilliantly blocked by Salgaocar keeper Jason. A minute later, Salgaoacr skipper Mackroy Peixoto came up with a powerful shot from the top of the box, but it deflected off a Sesa defender and went out for a goal-kick.

Sesa coach Charles also made changes in the second half, as Myran Pereira and Mark made way for Shoib Akhtar and Kunal Salgaonkar.

Sesa winger Richard was unlucky not to score in the 64th minute. Kunal sent a perfect cross to him in the box, but the winger saw his powerful strike rebound off the post.

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At the other end, Salgaocar defender Sanson Pereira delivered a fine corner to his teammate Andrus John in front of goal, but the forward failed to control his header as the ball went out for a goal-kick.

Sesa winger Richard came up with a fine cross to Olvin in the box, but the striker headed wide from close with just the keeper to beat.

Salgaocar stunned the dominant Sesa in the 86th minute. Substitute, Selwyn Miranda made a perfect through-pass to another substitute Steflon D’costa, whose shot was blocked by Sesa keeper Sapam Singh. But, the loose ball was tapped in with a dive by Devendra to make it 1-0 for his side.

When it looked like the Greens would take all three points, Sesa's substitute forward Kunal made a darting run on the wing cutting past few opponents to enter the box and clinically finished the ball in the net, making it all square in the 89th minute.

In the next minute, Sesa found the winner through Olvin. A fine cross from Richard was smartly headed in by the forward to book all three points for his team.

Click here for the Goa Pro League 2019-20 points table after this match.