the goan I network
PANAJI
Defending champions Salgaocar FC edged Calangute Association as they came from behind to win 2-1 in the Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Thursday. Joel Ayeni and Ribhav Sardessai were the goalscorers for Salgaocar and Omkar More netted the lone goal for Calangute Association.
The match began on a slow note as both the teams looked to maintain possession. Calangute's Bonny Niasso tried a long ranger which missed the target by a few inches. Salgaocar's Brian Mascarenhas was a threat to the Calangute defence on the left flank before being subbed out for an injury, but Bersal Viegas managed to curb off most of his runs with some good defending.
Gilbert Oliveira who replaced Brian Mascarenhas could have made immediate impact on the pitch as he had a right curling shot which whiskered past the upright after he received a lovely ball from the youngster Ribhav Sardessai. Moments later, Leslee Britto of Calangute Association could have put his side ahead after receiving a lovely ball from Joston Pereira but the latter shot the ball over the crossbar, much to the despair of the Calangute supporters.
Omkar More broke the deadlock in the 39th minute as he slotted in Blake Haldankar's deflected shot. Kouame Joseph could have put Calangute one more goal ahead as he was unmarked during the corner but he instead headed the ball out. At half time, the scoreboard read 1-0 in Calangute Association's favour.
Post resumption, Joel Ayeni scored the equaliser in the 46th minute after he headed in a ball from the corner taken by Mackroy Peixote. Joel could have scored yet another one in the 51st minute after he received a precise pass from Umesh Harijan but Joel shot the ball off the goal in a one on one situation.
In the 72nd minute, Salgaocar's U-20 player Ribhav Sardessai scored making it 2-1 for Salgaocar as he shot a low grounder in the bottom left corner of the goal after the youngster received a lovely ball from Joel Ayeni. Calangute goalie was ball watching as he saw the ball roll by.
Abijit Das made a crucial save to deny Kouame Joseph as he came off his line to block Joseph before he could have a shot. Joel Ayeni showed a bit of his skill before passing the ball to Ribhav who shot the ball over the crossbar. Joel Ayeni could have notched another one but he failed to do so yet again in a one on one situation as he shot the ball out yet again.
