Gaurs go down to Guardian Angel SC in Tight Contest

PANJIM:
FC Goa were beaten 1-0 by Guardian Angel SC in a tightly contested encounter at the Duler Football Stadium on Friday, 17 th November 2017. Striker Abel Hammond got the only goal of the game 13 minutes into the first half. Despite the Gaurs’ superior attacking prowess, they were unable to find a way back into the encounter.
It was a bright start to the opening half for FC Goa as they went looking for the lead immediately. Saviour Gama nearly provided an assist in the first minute after he ran down the left wing, burst into the box and crossed towards makeshift striker Yasir Mohammad. His cross however, was blocked and cleared. In the third minute, Yasir produced a superb outside of the foot pass towards Jonathan Cardozo at the far post, but the youngster shot the ball just wide of the far post.
The Gaurs were controlling the game from the first whistle and went forward in waves. Leander D’Cunha and Kingslee Fernandes were both deployed in advanced roles and constantly looked to get the ball forward to Yasir. Against the run of play however, Guardian Angel SC found themselves a goal to the good.
The Gaurs were unable to clear a loose ball into the box and it pinged around and fell to striker Abel Hammond who poked it towards the far post, away from a stranded Iprotip Das. FC Goa then stepped up their game in a bid to get back into the contest. Yasir set up Hayden in the 17 th minute but the midfielder’s goal bound shot was blocked by a defender. Ten minutes later, Kingslee and Yasir combined well down the left and the latter put in a brilliant ball for Leander on the left side of the box whose far post shot crept wide.
The Gaurs were controlling the game but were unable to find the end product in the final third. FC Goa’s claims for a penalty were waved off in the 33 rd minute after Leander clashed with the opposition keeper after chasing a brilliant cross from Jonathan. The Gaurs should have been level in stoppage time after Princeton dribbled his way past a few defenders and set up Yasir who found himself one on one with the goalkeeper but was unable to beat him on his wrong foot.
The Gaurs came out in the second period with a task on their hands and they pushed forward with purpose in a bid to get the equalizer. Kingslee produced an outrageous piece of skill a few minutes into the half, putting the ball into space with a back heel on the run to find Jonathan who then returned the ball to him in space.
He charged forward and passed to Yasir who was unable to control the ball in what looked like a good move. Not long after, Guardian Angel should have had the lead after a corner found the head of defender Alson Fernandes who headed just wide in what was a huge let off for the Gaurs.
Coach Clifford Miranda made two changes just after the 60 minute mark, bringing on Jason Barbosa and Enestar Malngiang for Hayden Fernandes and Lalnunsiama respectively. FC Goa created a host of chances within minutes of the substitutions. Yasir found some space in the box in the 67 th minute and squared it to the penalty spot but his shot was blocked well. A minute later, he swung a brilliant cross towards the centre of the area. Saviour ran on to it but it just about evaded his head.
Next it was Kingslee’s turn to set up Meldon at the far post but the defender couldn’t keep his header down. Guardian Angel were defending deep and looking to counter attack at every opportunity to which the Gaurs had to remain alert.
In the 73 rd minute, Jonathan received the ball on the right and put in a low cross towards Leander at the near post but the midfielder somehow hit his shot above the bar. The Gaurs made their final change in the 82 nd minute, bringing on Joybert Almeida for Leander as they looked for an equalizer. However, Guardian Angel SC held firm and denied the young Gaurs a point as the referee called time on the game.