FC Goa make winning start, stun Sporting Goa in Goa Pro League

Photo By: Anthony Fernandes

Ravish Narvekar

Phrangki Baum scored the all-important goal in the 76th minute to secure full points for the Junior Gaurs.

FC Goa secured a hard-fought solitary goal win over Sporting Clube de Goa in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Friday evening.

The first 25 minutes witnessed Sporting dominating over FC Goa as they made several attacks on the rivals but none of them resulted in favour of the Flaming Orange. They had the best chance to open their tally in the 20th minute when Ivon Costa sent a long cross to Nickson Castanha whose header was brilliantly pushed for a corner by FC Goa keeper Hrithik Tiwari.

The rest of the session was restricted to midfield play where Sporting managed to come up with some more raids on the rivals. In one of those, Ivon set up his teammate Caine Moura in the box but before the U20 could make any damage, FC Goa defender Mallikjan Kalegar clear the danger to keep his side safe.

Sporting coach Armando Colaco made a double substitution at the start of the second session as Marcus Mascarenhas and Lokeshkumar Talwar replaced both the U20s Richie Vaz and Caine.

Like the first session, the second half also witnessed dull football in the first 25 minutes, which came to end with a swift attack from Sporting. Substitute Marcus made a short past to Lloyd Cardozo following a quick run from the midway line where the forward tried his luck from just inside the box but FCG keeper Hrithik came with a brilliant block to push the danger away.

They once again came close to scoring in the 74th minute as Stendly Fernandes darted in the box and found Lloyd in the commanding position but once again keeper Hrithik made a diving effort to collect the goalbound strike from inside the box.

At the other end, Junior Gaurs who even failed to create a potent attack in the match till now stunned the Flaming Orange in the 76th minute as Phrangki Baum's curling strike from inside the box gave no chance to Sporting keeper Ozen Silva making it 1-0 for FCG.

They had a chance to double their lead within the next 10 minutes when Mevan once again came with another fine pass to Phrangki who covered some ground before unleashing the powerful shot at the rival’s frame but Sporting keeper Ozen brilliantly parried the danger away.

Sporting had a chance to level back in the very next minute when Ivon set up Lloyd with the just rival keeper to beat but the lad’s delayed strike was blocked by rival defender Manushawn Fernandes.

Lloyd should have made it all square in the added minutes of the match as he made an individual run in the box but FCG defender Manushawn made a timely clearance to earn full points for his side.