SELVEL GOA PROFESSIONAL LEAGUE: SALGAOCAR FC MAINTAIN PERFECT START

PANAJI: Salgaocar FC maintained their perfect start to the season with a resounding 3-0 win against Velsao Sports and Cultural Club in Goa Football Association’s Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium-Mapusa, on Monday. Stephen Satarkar (39’ and 78’) scored a brace while Valentinho Nazareth (87’) netted the third goal of the match. The Greens have played three matches and won all of them, so far this season.

The teams played more of a midfield battle in the initial stages of the game, nearly taking half-an-hour to force a save. Salgaocar FC’s Selwyn Miranda sent in a dangerous ball in the box, but the effort was pushed for a corner by a timely clearance from goalkeeper Presley Mascarenhas.

The Greens however, took the lead in the 39th minute when Selwyn Miranda sent in a cross in the box, which was brilliantly connected by substitute Stephen Satarkar whose deft right-foot touch sent the ball
past the keeper.

Velsao SCC came close to scoring from a free-kick but Ronil Azavedo’s free-kick narrowly missed the post. This was the closest Velsao came to scoring.

In the second half, Salgaocar FC continued their attack through Stephen and Selwyn. They nearly doubled the account when Selwyn tried his luck which was cleared off the line by Ronil Azavedo, just before Shawn Pereira could pounce onto the ball.

Velsao suddenly looked sloppy in defence as they let in Salgaocar attack in numbers. The Greens took advantage and inflated the lead when Valentinho was set through by a Salgaocar midfielder and with just the keeper infront, the young player squared the ball to an unmarked
Stephen, who buried the ball into the empty nets (2-0).

Salgaocar scored their third goal when Ribhav sent a floater to Valentinho Nazareth, who beat the off-side trap and kept his composure in front of the goalkeeper as he was one-on-one  with Presely. Valentinho slowly rolled the ball past the onrushing goalkeeper for the team’s third goal.