FC Goa make easy work of Guardian Angels, Churchill Brothers outclass Velsao SCC in GPL

Image By: FC Goa Media

Ravish Narvekar

Muhammed Nemil who has been judged the Man of the Match played an influential role in the ISL development side’s second win in the GPL.

FC Goa scraped past Guardian Angel Sports Club by an easy 4-1 margin in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Friday evening. Phrangki Buam broke the deadlock for FCG in the 10th minute but the 53rd-minute goal from Joel Baretto levelled the terms for the Angels. However, late goals from Malsawmtlunga (73’), Muhammed Nemil (85’) and Leewan Castanha (90+5’) helped the Junior Gaurs to walk away with the full points.

After defeat in the first two outings against Velsao SCC and Calangute Association, Angels coach Riston Rodrigues made numerous changes as Chandan Oraw, Fedrich Fernandes, Jesloy Moniz, Brivon Dias, Milroy Clement, James Fernandes, Tanmoy Mondal and keeper Savio Dias made the first start for the Curchorem side. FCG gaffer Deggie Cardozo also made a few changes to his side which were held to a goalless draw by Sesa FA in the previous round match as Deeshank Kunkalikar, Rayan Menezes, Velroy Fernandes and Malsawmtlunga found their names in the starting XI, while Mohammed Nemil made the comeback in the lineup for the Junior Gaurs.

Angels were the dominant side for the first ten minutes of the match where they made a couple of attacks on the opponents’ cathedral. In one of them, their skipper Gilbert Oliveira made a through pass to Jesloy who tried to find his forward Saivish Singh with a low cross in the box but FCG keeper Hrithik Tiwari smartly push the ball for a corner before the rival striker could do any damage to his side.

However, it were Junior Gaurs who managed to stun the Angels in the 10th minute when Malsawmtlunga made an inch-perfect cross to Phrangki Buam in the box whose tap from close settled in the back of the nylons to give FC Goa a lead.

The goal brought FCG into the match as they completely outplayed the opponents after finding the net and came close to doubling their lead in the 22nd minute when Nemil found Jovial Dias from the freekick just outside the box. The U20 who was perfectly fed at his feet in the box had a chance to extend their lead but Angels defender Fulganco Cardozo came with a timely block to clear the danger.

They had another opportunity to extend their lead just before eth halftime whistle as Deeshank made a cross to Rayan at the far post, who in return set up Lesly Rebello near the frame but the skipper could not keep his header on target from close.

Angels came out all attacking in the second session and managed to level back in the 53rd minute. A fine cross by U20 Milroy was perfectly headed in by substitute midfielder Joel Baretto from inside the box to make it 1-1 for his side. Energized by an equalizer, the Curchorem side came with another swift attack as this time another substitute midfielder Peter Carvalho sent a long pass to set up Joel in the box but FCG keeper Hrithik left his place to intercept the potent pass from the Angels’ veteran midfielder.

At the other end, the Junior Gaurs once again took the lead in the 73rd minute as Lalremruata HP and Nemil combined well at the top of the box with one-two-one passing and sent a through pass to Malsawmtlunga whose powerful shot from inside the box made it 2-1 for his side.

The goal gave a boost to the Junior Gaurs as they managed to further extend their lead minute through Nemil. Substitute U20 forward Mevan Dias nicely cut past an opponent defender and sent a short pass to Nemil at the top of the box. The striker’s curling left-footer kissed Angels keeper gloves and settled in the net to make it 3-1 in the 85th.

Angels almost reduced the margin in the added minutes of the match when Jesloy covered some ground and sent a perfect low cross to Joel infront of the rival goal but FCG custodian Hrithik came off with a superb save to rescue his side.

Meanwhile, FC Goa’s substitute U20 defender Leewan Castanha added misery on Angels in the dying minutes of the match as a fine corner by Deeshank was brilliantly headed by U20 forward Mevan but Angels keeper Savio brought a brilliant save which was later cleared by their defender James. However, the ball just travelled to FCG’s unmarked Leewan whose shot from inside the box entered the frame making it 4-1 for the Junior Gaurs.

In the other match played of the evening, Churchill Brothers FC secured a hammering 5-1 win over Velsao Sports & Cultural Club at Nagoa Panchayat Ground. The Salcete side were leading by three goals at halftime thanks to on-target from skipper George D’Souza (16’), Aaron Bareto (22’) and Shubert Pereira (26’), while Arron added another to their tally in the 50th minute before Jobern Cardozo making it 5-0 in the 53rd minute. The Mormugao based club scored through Meuton Fernandes from the penalty spot in the 68th minute.