PANAJI
Sesa FA put on an electrifying display at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Thursday, crushing Panjim Footballers 7-1 in a one-sided encounter in the Goa Professional League.
Panjim took an early lead in the 6th minute when Benwin finished calmly after a clever through ball from Veron, catching the Sesa defense off guard. However, Sesa wasted little time in responding, equalizing just a minute later. Vignesh Naik swung in a precise cross from the right, which Savlon Fernandes met with a powerful header to level the score at 1-1.
Sesa quickly gained control of the game. A well-delivered free-kick from Mahammed Faheez found an unmarked Sachidanand Satelkar in the box, who made no mistake, heading past Panjim goalkeeper to give Sesa the lead. Moments later, Faheez was brought down in the box by Panjim’s Vinayak Shibu, and the midfielder converted from the penalty spot, extending Sesa’s advantage to 3-1.
The dominant first half was capped off in stoppage time when Faheez once again played a key role, supplying a low cross into the box for Sachidanand, who finished with a sublime first-time strike to complete his brace and send Sesa into the break with a commanding 4-1 lead.
The second half saw no let-up in Sesa’s relentless attack. Sachidanand completed his hat-trick with a tap-in after a perfectly placed cross from the right flank. Clencio Pinto added a sixth with a clinical finish from inside the box, courtesy of a deft assist from Faheez. Omkar Shetgaonkar then sealed the scoreline with a deflected shot from outside the area, making it 7-1.
Panjim had a late opportunity to pull one back when Shaviz’s shot struck the hand of a Sesa defender inside the box, earning them a penalty. However, Satish Kankonkar’s spot-kick was comfortably saved by Sesa keeper Sapam Singh, ensuring the emphatic 7-1 victory for his side.
At the Nagoa Panchayat Ground, Pax of Nagoa cruised to a 3-1 win over Churchill Brothers. Nagoa’s Beneston Barretto opened the scoring with a penalty, and Shubert Pereira was the star of the show, netting a brace to seal the victory. Churchill Brothers pulled one back through Richard Fernandes, but it was not enough as Pax held on to claim the three points.
