PANAJI
Guardian Angel eased past Calangute Association in the Goa Professional League Relegation League at Nagoa ground on Sunday.
Guardian Angel opened the scoring when Moses D’Sa’s curling corner found Peter Carvalho, whose header was parried by the Calangute goalkeeper, but Sannik pounced on the rebound to slot it home. The second came after the break, as Preston Castano played a short pass inside the box from a Fredrick cross, setting up Sannik to smash in his brace and seal the 2-0 victory.
Guardian Angel pressed for an early breakthrough, with Moses D’Sa threading a precise through ball into the box, splitting the Calangute defence. Fredrick latched onto it and drilled a low cross into the danger area, but a timely clearance from a Calangute defender denied the opportunity.
The breakthrough finally arrived minutes later. D’Sa’s curling corner found Peter Carvalho, whose powerful header was parried away by the Calangute goalkeeper. However, the rebound fell kindly for Sannik, who made no mistake, slotting it home to put Guardian Angel ahead.
Guardian Angel came close to doubling their lead from another well-worked set piece. James delivered a pinpoint corner from the right, finding Ronald at the far post. His header looked destined for the back of the net, but Calangute defender Lobo came to the rescue with a crucial goal-line clearance.
Calangute nearly found the equalizer at the other end when Richard Cardoz split the Guardian Angel defence with a precise through ball down the right flank. Vishesh Nasnodkar raced onto it and whipped a dangerous low cross across the face of goal, but no one was on hand to apply the finishing touch.
Minutes later, Calangute had another golden opportunity after Cardoz was brought down just outside the box by Livan Clement. Stepping up for the free kick, Cardoz curled a superb effort over the wall, only to be denied by the crossbar.
After the break, Guardian Angel doubled their advantage, with Sannik finding the net once again. Preston Castano played a clever short pass inside the box from a Fredrich cross, and Sannik made no mistake, rifling it home to complete his brace. In the dying minutes, Calangute pushed hard for a breakthrough but the Guardian Angel defence held firm to their 2-0 win.
Meanwhile, in the Super League, Sporting Clube and Geno FC played out a 1-1 draw at Duler Stadium, Mapusa. Francisco Fernandes struck for SC Goa while Niraj Parekh equalized for Geno FC.
