GPL 2919-20: Sporting Goa blank Guardian Angel

The Flaming Orange climbed to the third position with 11 points from five outings.

Sporting Goa-Guardian Angel was a game the Flaming Orange would have expected to win. In the event, two second half goals from Alton Vaz and Marcus Mascarenhas helped Sporting Goa to secure a 2-0 win over Guardian Angel in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Saturday.

Both sides had dropped points in their respective last matches, as Sporting were held to a goalless draw by Calangute Association. Whereas, Angels drew 1-1 with Sesa FA.

The match started with end-to-end play and Sporting were the first to create a chance. Defender George D'Souza sent a cross in the box which was cleared by an Angel's defender. The ball rolled to Alton who released it to Philip Odogwu, but the forward's strike was brilliantly tipped over by Angels keeper Pratheesh Veettil.

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Angels also came close to scoring just before the half hour mark. Gilbert Oliveira found Beneston Barretto in the box, but his header missed the target by a whisker.

Sporting had two more opportunities before the halftime but first, Stendly Fernandes long ranger went wide, while a few minutes later, Sachidanand Satelkar's goalbound strike was brilliantly saved by Angels keeper Pratheesh.

Sporting started the second half on an attacking note. It was just two minutes after the resumption when they raided the rivals. Stendly sent a cross to substitute Marcus in the box, but Angels keeper Pratheesh came off his line to clear the danger in time.

Angels also had a chance to surge ahead when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Gilbert curled the ball to Musah Bamba, but his header was blocked by Sporting keeper Akshat Hadkonkar.

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The Flaming Orange finally managed to break the deadlock in the 69th minute. Angels custodian Pratheesh blocked George's sparkling strike, but the ball rolled to Peter Carvalho, who cut it back to a well-positioned Alton. The Sporting defender slotted the ball home to make it 1-0.

A minute later, Beneston had a chance to level for the Angles. Musah set him up in the box, but the forward's header missed the target by a few inches.

At the other end, Sporting doubled their lead in the 86th minute. Philip made a through pass to Marcus, who smartly chipped the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to make it 2-0.

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