THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Dando Boys go down fighting to St Anthony’s Colva

Dando Boys go down fighting to St Anthony's Colva in the GFA Third Division League (Photo courtesy: Goa Football Association)

St Anthony’s Colva edged past Dando Boys Colva 3-2 in the Goa Football Association (GFA) organised Third Division League match held at Fr Drustan & Wellington ground, Cavelossim on Sunday.

Both the teams started the match on equal footing and tried hard to get the desired advantage, however the defences of either of the teams stood solid rock until St Anthony’s Colva managed to break the deadlock in the 20th minute.

Hardworking Francis Pauskar after a few missed attempts shot the ball at the back of the rival nets to give his team the advantage. St Anthony’s with the confidence boost after the first goal went on to double the lead through Malik Thorgal in the 31st minute.

Taken aback by two goals, Dando Boys regrouped and narrowed the margin just before the breather through Velloyd Dias. The scoreboard read 2-1 in favour of St Anthony’s Colva.

Post resumption, rejuvenated Dando Boys tried their level best to find the equaliser and time and again tested the rival keeper who made some brilliant saves between the sticks.

The attacking Dando Boys however suffered a setback as St Anthony’s Colva scored yet again though Jonathan Fernandes in the 82nd minute. The search of more goals was still on for Dando Boys and they managed to pull a goal back in the add-on time through Meurito Rodrigues.

Elsewhere, at Raia Panchayat ground, Raia Sporting Club triumphed over St Sebastian Youth Club Fatorda 7-2.

The home side was in full control as there was a flurry of goals with two in the first and five in the second half. The teams at one point were tied at 2-2 but yielded towards the end.

Raia kept attacking the St. Sebastian goal and finally got their reward in the 23rd minute as they scored through Dolrich Simoes who dived full stretch to stick his leg out and guide the ball into the net. Raia yet again managed to carve open the St. Sebastian a second time though Dolrich 40th minute. Raia SC led 2-0 at halftime.

In the second half, St. Sebastian managed to slowly make their way into the game and managed to make it 2-1 when the referee misjudged a long ball and failed to clear it which allowed Christopher Borges to have an open goal in front of him.

The second goal was a brilliant attacking move that saw defender Stanly Dias kick the ball into the flank which was chased down by Rayan Dias who crossed I to the path of Christopher who slammed a thumping header into the net as the score was tied 2-2.

However, Raia scored five quick-fire goals to take the game away from St. Sebastian. Goals from Sheehan Fernandes and a brace from substitute Delan Gomes was followed up by goals from Ubaldo Fernandes and Vaibhav Naik as they secured a thumping victory.

In another match, at Curtorim ground, Guirdolim Club ran riot of Uguem Rising Club beating them 10-2 in a one sided affair.

The winners led 6-2 at the break. Irfan Yadwad, Steven Colaco and Steven Colaco scored a hat-trick each for the winners. Christopher Cardozo was the other goal scorer for Guirdolim. Clive Gomes and Cleward Pereira scored for the Uguem club.

FIXTURES (All matches will kick off at 4 p.m.)
GFA Third Division (Salcete): (Group D): Fr Agnel Youth SC vs St Anthony’s SC, Assolda, at Curtorim ground; (Group C): Dando Boys Club, Benaulim vs United Club of Benaulim, at Benaulim ground; (Group A): Our Lady of Gloria SC vs Socio Cultural Club, Loutolim; at Raia ground.
Bardez (Group A): Chapora Yuvak Sangh vs Sai Avtar SC; at Chapora ground; (Group C): Augustias Sporting Club vs Friends XI SC, at Nachinola ground; (Group D): Guirim Youth CSC vs PVC Association, at Nerul ground.