PANAJI
Goa Police cruised to a 4-1 victory over Pax of Nagoa in the Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Wednesday. Despite Nagoa drawing first blood through Shubert's clinical finish, Ronaldo Oliveira quickly leveled the score for Police and went on to net a hat trick, ultimately scoring all four goals to secure a convincing win.
After a loss in their opener against FC Goa, Nagoa coach Mateus shook things up with four changes to the starting XI. Beneston Barretto led the line as captain, with Joywin Carneiro and Stalen Lucas strengthening the defense, while Velrose Dias assumed control in midfield. Police coach Micky made only one tweak, slotting in Xavier Rebelo to solidify the backline.
Nagoa nearly took an early lead in the 11th minute when Joywin Carneiro's close-range effort off a Desmon free-kick missed by inches. Soon after, Beneston Barretto delivered a low cross into the box, but a Police defender cleared it to safety. The pressure continued in the 25th minute when Stalen Lucas sent in a dangerous cross, but Desmon Pereira’s header failed to find the mark.
Police almost paid for a defensive lapse when Brian Faria's poor backpass allowed Beneston Barretto to intercept, but the Police goalkeeper's alert save kept the game level. Police came close again in the 43rd minute when Mayuresh Naik’s pinpoint cross was met by Ronaldo Oliveira, whose thunderous shot rattled the crossbar.
Nagoa finally broke the deadlock in the 54th minute. Joywin Carneiro's long ball found Shubert near the halfway line, and after a brilliant solo run, Shubert coolly slotted home past the Police keeper. However, the lead was short-lived as Police equalized just five minutes later. Ronaldo Oliveira tapped in from close range after being left unmarked at the far post, converting a precise corner from Suraj Hadkonkar.
With momentum on their side, Police grabbed the lead in the 67th minute when Samuel D'Souza's perfectly timed through ball released Ronaldo, who curled a sublime finish into the far post. Just two minutes later, Ronaldo completed his hat trick, chipping the ball over the Nagoa keeper after connecting with Kunal Salgaonkar's cross.
Ronaldo sealed the rout in stoppage time, tapping in his fourth of the day from a pinpoint Mayuresh Naik cross, capping off a masterful individual performance and an emphatic win for Goa Police.
