PANAJI: FC Goa made it two wins from as many games to start the GFA Vedanta Women’s League with a 2-0 victory over Compassion FC at Dramapur, South Goa. A brace from Sushmita Jadhav was enough for the Gaurs to seal another three points and a second clean sheet.
Sugitesh Mandrekar’s girls hit the ground running, forcing a corner within the first three minutes of the proceedings. While that didn’t prove to be the breakthrough they were looking for, the Gaurs kept the pedal to the metal as the first 15 minutes saw FC Goa create chances time and again with Arpita Pednekar and Sushmita proving to be a real handful for the opposition defence – especially down the flanks.
However, for all their dominance, it took till a 22nd-minute free-kick from Vailanka D’Souza to force a telling save from the Compassion FC keeper. The Gaurs didn’t have to wait for the opener for too long, though, as Sushmita’s strike from the edge of the box three minutes later found the back of the net to give the Gaurs a deserved lead.
The second half began with Joyvi Fernandes coming on for Snehal Morajkar. The change, though, did little to temper the attacking spirits of Sugutesh Mandrekar’s girls as they started the second period once again on the front foot. The Gaurs’ perseverance nearly paid off on the hour-mark but for the crossbar – as Velanie Fernandes saw her effort rebound off of it.
Compassion FC came out fighting for the final 30 minutes as they looked for an equaliser. However, FC Goa held the fort with Ansiva Vaz and Leena Gaunco acting as the anchors in defence.
With Compassion FC looking to throw the kitchen sink, they left space behind for the Gaurs to exploit. And that is what they did precisely via swift counterattack in the 78th minute. A quick move was given a perfect ending when substitute Pushpa Parab found Sushmita inside the box for her to calmly slot home her second of the game and gift the Gaurs a well earned two-goal lead.
Credit to Compassion FC for not letting the shoulder drop as they took the game to FC Goa in the final minutes. They nearly succeeded in their endeavours in the 85th minute but for a last-ditch tackle from Leena Gaunco. The FC Goa girls stayed focused and alert as they asserted their dominance at the end and closed out a very hard-fought win.
The FC Goa Women’s Team is scheduled to be back in action on Tuesday, October 12 when they take on Futebol Club YFA at the Duler Stadium.
