Velsao Sports and Cultural Club showed true gut and character as they beat a spirited Corps of Signals in the Goa Professional League match played at Signals Ground, Navelim, on Tuesday. Joseph Pereira was the star for the Velsao side as he smashed in three goals for his side in their 4-3 win.

Enjoying better share of possessions and having better of the first half chances, Velsao SCC managed to take 3-2 first half lead.

Velsao started the match on ascendancy and pressed their opponents in their own half with sensational scores as five goals were shared between either sides. The hat-trick hero opened the scoring in the 13th minute but Corps of Signals drew level in the 15th minute L Singh. Jesloy gave Velsao the lead in the 39th minute before Pawan Takur levelled terms in the 40th minute.

But Velsao weren’t ready to give up as they pressed hard and pinned their opponents and Joseph caught the rival defence napping and smashed in team’s third goal just before the breather.

Post resumption there was late draw, with two more goals coming from either side in the second half, where Joseph proved to be a hero. After much probing and riding on home comfort, Signals finally found the rhythm in the second half of the game. However, they were dealt with a blow as L Singh was shown a direct red card for his reckless tackle on Velsao SC player. Despite being a man down, Signals managed to equalise through Th Roshan Singh. With time running short, Velsao SCC players went all out and pressed in search of the match-winner and the side were lucky to score the 88th minute match winner through their skipper Joseph Pereira.

(Goa Football Association)