Goa thump Punjab 4-1 in final group game

Tribune News Service

Chandigarh, March 28 

Goa knocked Punjab out of the 72nd Santosh Trophy with a 4-1 win in their last Group B match at the Sailen Manna Stadium in Howrah on Wednesday. 

Goa who led 2-0 at half time scored through Mackroy Peixoto (25th minute), Victorino Fernandes (28th), Nestor Dias (59th) and Shubert Perreira (67th) before Punjab pulled a goal back in the injury time through Gurtej Singh.

Goa dominated the match from the start and Moses Anthony was the busier of the two goalkeepers.

Moses denied Kapil Hoble, before blocking Nestor’s effort within the first 10 minutes of the game. Punjab did threaten in the 17th minute, but Baltej Singh’s shot was well saved by Goa custodian Melroy Fernandes.

Having missed a host of chances, Goa finally pulled ahead through Mackroy, who converted from the spot after Shubert was brought down inside the box.

Goa doubled their lead within three minutes through skipper Victorino as the former India international scored a blinder after receiving a pass from Nestor.

Meanwhile, after the two teams broke on the half hour mark for a brief cooling break, Punjab emerged with much more attacking flair and should have halved the deficit three minutes later when Jitender Rawat was unmarked at the back post, but he missed from just yards out.

A snap effort from Parmjit Singh in the 42nd minute was also off target, as was Amandeep Singh’s hard strike just before the break.

Goa continued their dominance in the second half as Moses had to come out quickly to deny Victorino after a heavy first touch in the 54th minute. Goa did get their third in the 59th minute when Nestor scored with a left-footed shot from Kapil’s pass.

Kamaldeep Singh, who replaced Sukhjit Singh, turned and unleashed a shot which was deflected, and it was easily saved by Melroy in the 64th minute as Punjab looked for a comeback.

However, Goa added their fourth in the 67th to finish off the game. Peter Carvalho set up Subert from a corner and he made it 4-0 for Goa with a brilliant header.

Punjab pushed for a late consolation goal and succeeded through Gurtej Singh in the 90+4th minute after Kamaldeep failed in his effort from the spot in the 90th minute.

The result meant Goa (6 points) ended their campaign in third place behind leaders Karnataka (9 points) and Mizoram (9 points), while Punjab finished just above the wooden spooners Odisha.