Goa Professional League 2019-20: Round 7

Where Eagles Dare: Dempo SC’s Latesh Mandrekar (19) scored a brace

against Guardian Angels SC in Round 7 of the Goa Pro League.

Photo Courtesy: The Navhind Times

Dempo SC remain on top of the Goa Pro League table, while Sporting Clube de Goa leapfrog Churchill Brothers into second spot.

The week saw two major upsets – Velsao SCC beat defending champions FC Goa DEV and Calangute Association stun Salgaocar FC.

Golden Eagles soar above Guardian Angel

A 4-0 win over Guardian Angel SC enabled Dempo SC maintain their grip on the top spot of the Goa Pro League.

Youngsters Latesh Mandrekar and Suraj Hadkonkar led the way for the Golden Eagles at the Rosary Ground, Navelim.

After a frenetic opening minutes with both teams gunning for glory, the match settled down with Dempo setting the pace.

Latesh Mandrekar put Dempo ahead in the 41st minute, lashing a daisy cutter upon receiving a pass from the right wing.

Suraj Hadkonkar was subbed in the second half and the striker made an immediate impact with a goal in the 57th minute.

The 2-0 lead knocked the stuffing out of Guardian Angel, with Dempo SC keeper Luis Barreto, hardly having to make a save.

Hadkonkar scored his second in the 85th minute, while Latesh Mandrekar scored his second goal of the match in the 88th minute.

An emphatic win and at the top of the table. The Golden Eagles are soaring high.

Marcus 3 – 2 Plaza, as Sporting Clube beat Churchill Brothers

Sporting Clube de Goa came from behind on two occasions to beat Churchill Brothers FC 3-2 in the Goa Pro League match at Nagoa Ground.

Marcus Mascarenhas netted a fine hat-trick while Willis Plaza netted a brace for the losing team.

Plaza opened the scoring with a header off a freekick by Israil Gurung in the 31st minute. The scoreline read 0-1 at half time.

The match had an interesting turn in the 72nd minute mark. Sporting Clube skipper, Marcus Macarenhas, met George’s grounder to tap in the equalizer.

Five minutes later, Churchill Brothers took the lead, after Peter Carvalho’s tackle on Clencio Pinto resulted in a penalty. Willis Plaza slotted in from the spot to make it 1-2.

At the other end, Sporting Clube de Goa equalized. Marcus headed in George’s corner kick in the 83rd minute.

There was late drama as Sporting Club de Goa came up with a match winner in the 90th minute of the match. Captain fantastic, Marcus Mascarenhas, headed in Peter Carvalho’s floated ball to make it 3-2.

With this win, Sporting Clube de Goa leapfrog Churchill Brothers to the second spot, although the latter has a match in hand.

Velsao SCC stun FC Goa in narrow win

Velsao Sports and Cultural Club stunned FC Goa 1-0 as they recorded their first win in the 2019/20 Goa Professional League match.

This was the first clean-sheet of the season for Velsao.

After a goalless first half at the Duler Stadium, second half substitute Jesloy Moniz was the unlikely hero for Velsao. Two minutes into the second half, a rare counter from Velsao resulted in the goal. FC Goa’s Leander attempt at the Velsao goal rebounded off the Velsao defense.

The ball fell to an unmarked Jelsoy. The substitute ran down into the heart of FC Goa midfield and slotted the ball past Antonio Da Silva.

Unlike the previous round, FC Goa’s attempt to find an equalizer did not materialize as Velsao was determined to keep a clean sheet.

In the end, the 1-0 result the defending champions had to submit to yet another disappointing show.

After six losses in a row, Velsao are off the mark. The defending champions has a long road ahead in their bid to retain the crown.

The Goa Pro League table at the end of Round 7.

Calangute Association shock Salgaocar FC

The week of surprises continued as Calangute Association beat Salgaocar FC 2-1 in Round 7 of the Goa Pro League.

The Calangute team played on the counter – which proved to be very effective. In the 42nd minute, Akush Kudnekar was fouled inside the box, resulting in a Calangute penalty.

Valerio stepped up to give Calangute the lead.

Calangute began the second half with more intensity and the ploy worked wonders as Valerio’s cross found Jobber Cardozo who slotted the ball past a Jason D’mello.

2-0 in the 50th minute.

Salgaocar got a lifeline in the 67th minute. Selwyn Miranda was brought down by Minesh Kunkolkar which resulted in a penalty. Saeesh Halankar side stepped Calangute keeper, Sanij, to reduce the deficit.

With chances dwindling, Salgaocar had to accept that Calangute are no pushovers this season. The win takes Calangute to 12 points in fourth position. Salgaocar are in fifth spot with eight points.

Corps of Signals edge Panjim Footballers

The Army team of Corps of Signals beat Panjim Footballers 1-0 at the Duler Stadium.

A header in the 33rd minute from Amit Singh off a Solomon corner beat Panjim Footballers goalkeeper Preston Rego all ends up.

Signals goalkeeper, Binu, was in the thick of the action to deny Panjim the equaliser as the full time score remained 1-0 in favor of the Armymen.

The win helped Signals leapfrog Panjim to eighth spot.

Sesa FA hold Vasco SC to a goalless draw

Sesa Football Academy kept a clean sheet to restrict Vasco SC to a 0-0 draw in the ongoing Goa Pro League.

The best chances for both teams fell after the hour mark. In the 63rd minute, Richard Cardoz delivered a cross to Olvin. The goal-bound header on the far post was over for a corner by the Vasco keeper Amit.

Five minutes later, Suraj’s shot from close was denied by SFA keeper Sapam. In the end, it was honors even as both teams had to settle for a draw.

Sesa FA is in the sixth spot with eight points, while Vasco is in 11th with five points.

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