GOA:
Despite looking good and showing signs of a comeback in the second half, the FC Goa Development Team couldn’t overcome a bug first half deficit against ARA FC in the Hero 2nd Division League at Ahmedabad on Sunday, going down 3-0. The hosts, meanwhile, scored three quick goals in the space of just 14 minutes in the first half, to register the second victory of their league campaign.
Earlier in the day, FC Goa coach Sugitesh Mandrekar named an unchanged lineup from last week’s defeat to Dempo SC, as Versly Paes and Manushawn Fernandes led the defence, while Mevan Dias and Jordan Borges started up-front once again.
The Boys in Orange started the match on a good note, trying to attack by keeping the ball well. But it was not long before ARA caught up, and in the 22nd minute they broke the deadlock through Jacob John.
Two minutes later, a solid strike by Shanid Valan helped Vivek Nagul’s boys double their lead. Valan found the back of the net once again in the 36th minute, ensuring that his team had a comfortable three-goal cushion when they returned to the dressing room at half-time.
Following the change of ends, FC Goa looked keen to keep things simple and stick to the basics, and it worked with the boys seeing more of the ball than their opponents. A lack of ideas in the final third, however, prevented them from making any real impact on the scoresheet. At the 70-minute mark, Mandrekar brought Jovial Dias and Saish Gaunkar on, in search of a goal.
Saish, who starred in the Young Gaurs’ win over Sesa FA in the Reliance Foundation Development League (RFDL) on Thursday, enjoyed another good shift that showed promise but ultimately witnessed his team end up on the losing side.
Up next for the FC Goa Development Team in the Hero 2nd Division League, is an assignment against Ambernath United Atlanta FC on March 30. The clash will also be their first home game of the campaign, with the kick-off slated for 4:00 pm at the Nagoa Panchayat Ground.
