PANAJI
Geno FC clinched a crucial 2-0 victory over Calangute Association, propelling them to the summit of the Goa Professional League standings on Tuesday afternoon. The fixture demonstrated Geno's relentless ambition and the resilience of a Calangute side unwilling to back down, even as the league frontrunners tightened their grip.
Geno’s ascent began in the 21st minute, when Saideep Pombuphekar broke the deadlock with a finely executed goal. Calangute Association, despite being outplayed for stretches, held firm defensively, forcing Geno to battle for every inch of the pitch.
As the clock ticked deep into stoppage time, Geno’s opportunity to seal their lead arrived in the form of a penalty. Suraj Gurung displayed nerves of steel, converting in the 97th minute to deliver the final blow that not only secured victory but also pushed Geno to the top of the standings on goal difference. Yellow cards were shown to Geno's Meinam Musharaf and Calangute’s Edwin Viegas, marring an otherwise fantastic encounter.
With this win, Geno FC stands tall with 19 points, equaling Sporting Clube de Goa but edging ahead on goal difference. Meanwhile, individual league narratives continue to unfold; Nigel Fernandes has now emerged as the second-highest scorer in the league with six goals, trailing Goa Police’s prolific Ronaldo Oliveira, who leads with nine.
