The Hindu : Sport / Football : Salgaocar downs Lajong SC

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Tuesday, Mar 13, 2007
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Sport - Football

Salgaocar downs Lajong SC

Principal Correspondent

KOCHI: Salgaocar Goa moved a step closer to qualifying for the final phase with a 1-0 win over Lajong SC (Shillong) in the ONGC second Division NFL match at the Jawaharlal Nehru stadium here on Monday.

Francis Fernandez scored the winner in the 27th minute to fetch Salgaocar its second win in the tournament. Lajong played its heart out but lacked the big match temperament and experience of the Goan side. The gutsy Shillong side at times even dominated its fancied rival who was forced to defend for a major part of the second half.

Salgaocar coach Savio Medeira made three changes in the team. R.C. Prakash didn't figure in the starting line-up and instead it was Jerose Oliueira who donned the role of a striker. Jerose repaid his coach's faith by doing the spadework for the winning goal. The striker moved into the penalty area and shrugged off two Lajong defenders and centered the ball to Francis Fernandez who headed into the body of Lajong goalkeeper Markush Basumatary. The ball rebounded from the goalkeeper's body and Francis quickly latched on to it and volleyed it home in the 27th minute.

Nothing of note

Apart from the goal, Salgaocar did nothing of note in the first half. Lajong came out with all cylinders firing in the second half. It dominated the midfield and created more chances. A fine move initiated by Birendra Thapa saw T.L. Muana testing the Goan goalkeeper Milagrio Medeira with a right footer. But goalkeeper punched the ball away for a corner. Sukhlein and Zarmochana got into goal scoring positions but were denied by Milagrio Medeira.

The Goans crowded their defence in order to baulk the Shillong sorties and were quite successful too. As Lajong pushed all its men forward, Nigerian Felix Chimakowu wasted two good opportunities to increase the lead. On both occasions he had only the goalkeeper to beat but Felix blasted out from close much to chagrin of his teammates.

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