PANJIM: Calangute Association registered a thrilling 3-2 win over Panjim Footballers in Goa Football Association’s Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday.
Siddhant Shirodkar (9’ & 12’) scored a brace while Sidharth Kundaikar scored the third goal for the team. Panjim scored through Llyod Cardozo (43’) and Pandurang Gauns (48’). Calangute’s Jirjar Terang was sent off late in the second half for double booking.
Calangute Association took the lead in the ninth minute when Akash Sanadi played a back pass to Janio Fernandes, who failed to clear the ball in time and Siddhant Shirodkar snatched the ball to fire home a fierce shot.
Calangute looked more threatening after scoring and in the 12th minute, deservingly doubled the lead. Nickson Castanha played a long ball to Kouame Junior, who squared the ball in the area which Preston Rego failed to collect. Siddhant, who was lurking in the box, fired home from close to make it 2-0.
Panjim’s first shot at goal came in the 34th minute with Vallmiky testing the keeper from a distance. Calangute keeper Paramveer Singh came up with a diving save to deny Lloyd Cardozo from outside the box. The rebound nearly found Vallmiky but Krishnanath cleared it in time for a corner.
Panjim finally pulled a goal back in the 43rd minute through Lloyd Cardozo, who darted into the box upon receiving a pass from Krishna and scored with a low shot which gave no chance to Paramveer.
Panjim Footballers restored parity in the 48th minute when Pandurang Gauns fired a shot from outside the box which was way beyond Paramveer’s reach.
However, Calangute Association regained their lead in the 57th minute through Sidharth Kundaikar, who scored with a curling effort from inside the box.
Panjim squandered the chance to restore parity in the next minute when Lloyd Cardozo squared the ball to Joyson Gauncar, who could not connect the ball properly as it came off the crossbar.
Preston Rego then denied Siddhant his hat-trick from one-on-one situation with a brilliant save from close.
Calangute Association were reduced to 10 men when Jirjar received his second booking for bringing down Joyson Gauncar outside the box. However, Calangute held on to their lead till the final whistle to collect three points.
