GPL 2019-20: Sporting Goa beat Churchill, Sesa FA hold Vasco

The GPL 2019-20 witnessed two very exciting fixtures on the day.

Sporting Clube de Goa came twice from behind to inflict first defeat upon Churchill Brothers FC with a 3-2 win in the Goa Pro League (GPL 2019-20) at Nagoa ground, Verna-Nagoa. Marcus Mascarenhas netted a fine hat-trick while Willis Plaza netted a double for the losing team.

Churchill's Willis Plaza had a golden opportunity to score when Melroy's clearance fell into his way, but the foreigner delayed and Sporting’s Peter cleared the ball. Finally, Plaza scored when he headed in a freekick.

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Sporting Clube came close to scoring from a corner kick when George’s delivery in the box was placed for Gautam but his goal-bound shot took rival defender’s deflection and went out for a corner.

Sporting Clube had a great chance to restore parity when Philip found his way in the box and shot at goal but his effort was brilliantly saved by the rival keeper but the ball fell back to him which he headed in for Llyod Mascarenhas who failed to connect. Yet another chance was missed by Sporting Clube.

Later Sporting Clube’s Philip shot from inside the box narrowly missed the mark. Churchill pressed in the second half and Shubert’s effort was pushed for a corner by Melroy.

In the second half after more of midfield duel, Sporting Clube keeper came with a good save to deny L Vangchhia. Sporting Clube coach brought in Akeraj Martins in place of Shanon and they soon scored the leveller when George’s grounder was placed inside the goal by Marcus.

Later Sporting’s Girish cross was headed by Peter to Marcus whose half volley went straight to the keeper. However, at the other end, George brought down Clencio in the box and Willis Plaza coolly converted from the spot-kick.

At the other end, Sporting Clube de Goa’s Marcus headed in to score his second, off a George corner kick. Sporting Clube soon scored the third which proved to be the match-winner as Peter Carvalho and Philip played one-two before the former played a dangerous ball in the box which Marcus brilliantly headed in to make it 3-2.

SCG Manager Mr Angelo Albuquerque was very happy with the performance of all the players and had special praise for the U-20 players. He said "I am very happy with the result and more happy with the performance of my U20 players who played their hearts out. Lloyd Mascarenhas made his debut for the Senior team today while Shanon Viegas played his second match of the GPL 2019-20 this season.

Sesa Football Academy hold Vasco Sports Club 

Sesa Football Academy kept a clean sheet to restrict Vasco SC to a goalless 90 minutes in the ongoing GPL 2019-20. SFA defended three corners inside 5 minutes as the game looked nervy in the opening minutes. SFA duo Myran and Melvin defended a series of crosses inside the box to restrict the Vasco strikers. Vasco SC had an opportunity in the 17th minute after number 17 Sanwil fired a shot from 20 yards but the ball went wide off SFA goal post.Vasco SC faced a setback in the 21st minute and were forced to substitute their number 2 Warren as he went down injured after a clash.

Vasco SC coach Mickey Fernandes brought on number 13 Xavier to replace him as Warren exited the pitch on a stretcher. SFA won a freekick in a dangerous position in the 27th minute and Caitano Veigas decided to go for goal. The ball went sailing past the wall and was saved by Vasco keeper with his fingertips.

SFA took a short corner, Richard Cardoz crossed the ball into the box to meet SFA striker Olvin who couldn't take the shot at a difficult angle. He decided to fire it inside the 5-yard box hoping to find a player but the ball went past everyone for a throw-in at the opposite end. Olvin had another opportunity before half time as he won possession in the center of the field after a defensive error from Vasco center back. Olvin sprinted through the defense, using the opportunity to provide Richard Cardoz on the right-wing with a delightful through ball. Richard fired it straight at the keeper who couldn't hold it and deflected it for a corner.

Six minutes in the second half, SFA decided to substitute Mark Barretto with their second striker Kunal Salgaonkar. The substitute had an immediate impact in the game as Caitano on the right wing was fed by Domnic and met Kunal with a cross inside the opposition box. The ball went straight at the keeper as SFA created more chances. In the 63rd minute, a defensive error led to Richard Cardoz taking control of the ball on the right-wing, deep inside the opposition half. Richard wasted no time to deliver a cross to meet Olvin who headed the ball towards the far post. SFA were denied again by Vasco keeper Amit who managed to get a touch on the ball.

The corner was however collected after the cross met SFA center back Myran who headed it straight at the keeper. In the 68th minute, Suraj made a run on the right-wing to trouble SFA skipper Melvin and attempted a shot from close range but was denied by SFA keeper Sapam. Both teams decided to bring fresh legs on the pitch in the 70th and 72nd minute, respectively as Ben replaced Olvin for SFA and Sheldon replaced Nevil Soares in the midfield.

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SFA had an opportunity in the 75th minute after Dominic won a freekick outside the box. Richard Cardoz decided to cross the ball from the freekick to meet Kunal who barely missed the ball. Players of both the teams received cautions for a mistimed tackle late in the game. SFA defender Caitano received a yellow in the 86th minute and Vasco number 14 Anil was booked for a foul on Ben.

The referee indicated 4 minutes extra time as SFA win a corner and had the last opportunity of the game after Vishnu Gosavi took a short corner to provide Richard nearby. Richard crossed it into the box to meet Kunal who headed the ball but was denied by Vasco keeper again.