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A brace from Aaren D’Silva helped the FC Goa Developmental Team record their first victory of the 2021 Goa Pro League with a come-from-behind 2-1 win over Calangute Association at the Duler Stadium.
Calangute Association went ahead in the first half thanks to a clinical strike from Jirjar Terang. The midfielder, however, turned villain in the second after being shown the red in the 79th minute. Deggie Cardozo’s boys made full use of their numerical advantage, scoring within a minute of the red card before rounding off the comeback in the 88th minute.
FC Goa started stronger of the two sides and had their first attempt on goal in the third minute itself. Sarineo Fernandes, the skipper of the side, sought out the opener from a direct free kick. Jeet Gupta in the Calangute Association goal, though, was equal to the task.
Three minutes later Sarineo again did well to swing in a brilliant delivery from midfield, seeking out Vasim Inamdar on the run. The pacy winger did well to get beyond the Calangute backline but a heavy first touch meant for a hasty shot which was off target.
Calangute began to grow into the game and nearly scored in the 23rd minute. A Nick Castanha free-kick to the far post found Kouame Kossonou jumping highest. His header back across had Dylan D’Silva in the Goa goal scrambling but was off target.
They, however, didn’t have to wait too long to find the opener and it was Kossonou again at the thick of it all. The forward did well to dispossess HP Lalremruata before running at the FC Goa defence and then cutting it back for the onrushing Jirjar Terang. His first-time shot was well-placed and precise enough to give Calangute the lead.
The young Gaurs came back strong in the latter stages of the first half as Brian Faria and Brison Fernandes came close to the equaliser. However, some heavy touches in the final third meant that the young Gaurs would have it all to do in the second half.
The young Gaurs continued to enjoy the lion’s share of the possession synonymous across the FC Goa system. However, their action in the final third left much to be desired in the opening periods of the second half. Brison and Vasim got into dangerous areas, but their efforts lacked composure and quality.
Calangute had the chance to really wrap up all three points in the 70th minute when Daryl Costa broke free beyond the FC Goa backline. He, however, couldn’t get the better of Dylan D’Silva in the FC Goa goal. The youngster came off his line to thwart his efforts before getting up to deny Jirtar Terang, who was following up on the rebound.
Eight minutes later, Calangute would rue the opportunity as Terang was sent away for early showers for his second yellow of the game.
The Gaurs would take advantage of the situation within a couple of minutes. Lovely interplay between Joybert Almeida and Brison helped set up Sarineo for the cross. The left-back produced an enticing ball into the middle, which Aaren attacked and duly put away to bring the scores back to level terms.
The comeback was complete in the 88th minute. It was again Aaren at the end of a cross – this time from substitute Deeshank Kunkalika, heading in from yards of the goal and beyond the keeper to clinch all three points.
The FC Goa Developmental team will next face Dempo SC on February 9. That game is scheduled for a 3:45 pm kickoff.
