Calangute Association Snatch Dramatic 2-1 Win Over Sesa Football Academy in GFA Pro League
Calangute: The opening exchanges carried the hallmarks of a match neither side could afford to lose cautious and tightly contested from the very first whistle. Calangute’s Domnic Fernandes signalled his side’s intent early, driving into the penalty area and letting fly, only to see his effort drift agonisingly wide of the target. Sesa FA responded in kind, Vignesh Naik testing Calangute keeper Aditya Sharma with a firm strike that was comfortably gathered. A yellow card for Sesa’s Kreepal Dhargalkar for a foul on Vishesh Nasnodkar added a touch of needle to the early exchanges, but both sides remained disciplined in their defensive shape, neither willing to leave gaps that the other could exploit. The midfield battle that followed was honest and hard-fought chances snatched at, passes misplaced, each team reluctant to over-commit. When the half-time whistle blew, the goalless scoreline was a fair reflection of a first half defined more by mutual respect than genuine breakthrough.
The second half resumed at the same competitive intensity, the urgency increasing with every passing minute as both sides sensed that the next goal would be decisive. Sesa FA came close when Saimesh Gaonkar fashioned a well-struck effort just past the hour mark only for the Calangute defence to react instinctively and clear the danger on the line. Another yellow card, this time for Sesa’s Pradip Aheibam, signalled the growing tension. Then came the moment that cracked the match open: Calangute were awarded a free kick, the delivery found its way into the Sesa penalty area and a foul by Aditya Salgaonkar gave the referee no option but to point to the spot. Nasnodkar who had himself been fouled in the first half stepped forward, held his nerve and converted with composure. One-nil to Calangute and the momentum had swung entirely. Sesa FA pushed for an immediate response, pressing high and throwing numbers forward in search of the equaliser. But Calangute’s defence, well-drilled and disciplined, repelled every effort with authority and when the chance came to extend the lead, they took it with ruthless efficiency. Calangute captain Jovito Fernandes delivered a precise cross into the box and Joywin Carneiro arrived at exactly the right moment, guiding the ball into the net with a composed touch that all but sealed the three points. It was a goal born of good movement, intelligent delivery and a calm finishing, the cushion Calangute needed and the moment that extinguished Sesa’s belief. The hosts refused to surrender without one final act of defiance. Deep into stoppage time, Likson Rebello embarked on a determined run from the heart of midfield, carrying the ball forward with pace and purpose before driving past the advancing Sharma who had strayed from his line to pull one back and make for a tense finish. But it was too little, too late. The final whistle confirmed a 2-1 victory for Calangute Association, a result that rewards their resilience, their composure under pressure and their clinical edge when the opportunities finally arrived. In the GPL table, they climb from sixth to fourth.
Loading ...