GPL 2019-20: Velsao edge Sesa FA for narrow win

Bersal Viegas scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute.

Velsao Sports & Cultural Club continued their unbeaten run as they grabbed a crucial 1-0 win over Sesa Football Academy in the GFA’s Goa Professional League at Rosary Ground, Navelim, on Monday. Bersal Viegas scored the only goal of the game in the 34th minute. The win helped Velsao SCC move on to 15 points from 17 matches on par with Sesa FA who also have similar points from equal outings. However, a superior head to head record helped Velsao SCC leapfrog their opponents to 11th place while Sesa FA now move to bottom of the table. [KH_ADWORDS type="4" align="center"][/KH_ADWORDS] In a battle of the relegation threatened teams, the match lived up to the expectations as there was plenty of action in the game. Velsao SCC had couple of chances to take the lead early in the game but the strikers failed to score. First, Velsao’s midfielder Shamir Babu played a cut back pass to their skipper Joseph Pereira who was in the box, and the last man shot straight to the keeper. Later, Velsao’s U-20 Romario Da Costa should have scored when he received a good delivery from a corner kick but he shot wide from close distance. However, after much probing, Velsao finally took the lead in the 34th minute when a long throw in from Umesh Puraj was flicked in the box by foreigner Karamoko Usman to Bersal Viegas and the last man guided the ball to the back of the net with a simple tap in, 1-0. Sesa FA, who had started the Goa Pro League campaign suddenly find themselves in a struggling situation, and despite having some scoring chances, couldn’t get on the score sheet. Sesa FA’s Richard had made a brilliant move in the rival territory but just before the lad could pull the trigger with the goal at sight, Velsao’s Bersal wrongly tackled the lad just outside the box, giving away a freekick. From the resultant free-kick, Richard’s effort was once again blocked by Bersal Viegas. Velsao SCC led 1-0 at the break. In the second half, Velsao SCC did create chances but just couldn’t consolidate their lead. [KH_RELATED_NEWS title="RELLATED NEWS | ARTICLE CONTINUES BELOW"][/KH_RELATED_NEWS] First Jesloy Moniz made a solo run from the centre but couldn’t get past the rival keeper Sapan Singh. Then Velsao’s Inacio’s shot hit the cross bar from a distance and later Remedios’ effort also hit the woodwork and went out of the play. First Jesloy Moniz made a solo run from the centre but couldn’t get past the rival keeper Sapan Singh. Then Velsao’s Inacio’s shot hit the cross bar from a distance and later Remedios’ effort also hit the woodwork and went out of the play. “The team played as a unit as every player contributed equally on the pitch. We have a greater understanding among us now and we are playing for the win. Our coach motivates us a lot and encourages us to give our best. I am glad to score the match-winner but more happy to get the three points for our team,” explained Velsao’s Bersal Viegas.