Friday , April 26 2024

Salgaocar FC defeat FC Bardez 2-1 to go top of the Goa Pro League!

Salgaocar FC defeated FC Bardez 2-1 in a hard fought Goa Professional League match played at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco earlier today.

FC Bardez head coach Armando Colaco made two changes to the team as Rowilson Rodrigues was back from suspension, and Myron Mendes found himself in the starting XI replacing Joel Sunday.

All three goals came in the second half of play as the Green Brigade completed the double over the Pink Brigade.

Both teams looked in high spirits at the start of the match, but in the 5th minute FC Bardez could have taken the lead as Peter Carvalho was fouled 20 yards from goal. Alesh Sawant took a superb free-kick, which deflected off defender Asheer Akhatr and just missed the target. Salgaocar FC had a good attempt on goal in the 13th minute as Kamo Stephane Bayi tried a powerful strike from 20 yards out which went just wide of the post.

FC Bardez striker Latesh Mandrekar had a chance to put his team in front on the 24th minute as he picked up a long ball from Mathew Gonsalves, Latesh dribbled past two defenders and tried a shot on goal but he shot the ball straight at the keeper Naveen Kumar.

FC Bardez had the best chance of the first half when Cavin Soares could have scored in the 29th minute. Myron Mendes picked him out with a superb overlapping pass, Cavin took on two Salgaocar defenders and dribbled the ball inside the 5 yard box, instead of shooting the ball, he passed aimlessly and lost possession. Both teams went into the break goalless.

Nine minutes after the breather, SalgaocarFC took the lead as Kamo Stephane Bayi got the ball at the back. He took on Rowilson Rodrigues who couldn’t outrun him, FC Bardez keeper Mirshad K came up to defend his goal but the striker faked him and scored.

Salgaocar FC made it 2-0 just four minutes later. Liston Colaco tried a cross from the left flank but the ball went directly inside the goal with the keeper out of position. In the 69th minute Kamo Stephane Bayi could have increased the scoreline as his powerful shot 20 yards was saved by the Bardez custodian

The Pink Panthers managed to get one back in the 83rd minute as substitute Koko Sakibo got a through ball from Peter Carvalho from the halfway line and Koko didn’t disappoint the silenced FC Bardez fans as he took on two defenders and managed to slot the ball past the keeper to make it 2-1.

FC Bardez head coach Armando Colaco said after the game, “We had so many chances to finish the game off, but we lacked the finishing, touch. Koko gave up hope, but at the end they won.”

With this win Salgaocar FC now top the league with 33 points and FC Bardez remain in fifth spot with 24 points.

About Arunava Chaudhuri

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