PANAJI: Velsao Sports and Cultural Club secured a hard-fought 1-0 win over Guardian Angel SC to make it two wins in two games, in Goa Football Association’s Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Wednesday. Savelon Cardozo scored the lone goal of the game in the 44th minute.
Guardian Angel SC showed an attacking intent from the word go as they had extra men in attack in search of an early lead. They had the first real chance in the 8th minute when Jovial Dias went past Beneston Barretto in the box, but his strike got a firm touch off Presley Mascarenhas and the ball hit the crossbar.
Velsao SCC soon regained control of the game and fired a couple of attempts at the rival goal. First Brian Mascarenhas saw his effort from 35-yards narrowly go wide and then he was denied once again by the post. His direct free-kick hit the post and deflected off the keeper for a corner.
In the 21st minute, Velsao were denied once again by brilliant goalkeeping from Ram Saroop off a Rohan Rodrigues shot.
Velsao SCC finally broke the deadlock in the 44th minute when Romario Da Costa cut back a pass to Rohan Rodrigues, who sent a delivery into the box. Guardian Angel’s Benzu saw his attempted clearance fall to an unmarked Savelon Cardozo, whose initial attempt was blocked by Leny Fernandes. However, the ball came back to Savelon, who fired home with a strong left-footer.
Guardian Angel almost got the equaliser at the restart. Kimran Fernandes whipped in a cross from the right which found Basanta Singh, whose point-blank header was beautifully saved by Presley.
In the 81st minute, Velsao’s Presley Mascarenhas fumbled as he failed to collect Joel Barretto’s cross from the left, but Brian Mascarenhas was in the right place to clear the ball off the line.
Guardian Angel SC’s keeper Ram Saroop came up with an outstanding save to deny Savelon his second from inside the box after Ronil Azavedo had set him through on goal.
