G.V. Raja Memorial All India Football: SESA Goa outplays MEG
SESA Goa started its campaign in style with a 3-1 win over MEG (Bangalore) in the opening match of the quarterfinal league of the G.V. Raja Memorial all-India football tournament at the University stadium here on Sunday.
A brace from Marcus Maschrenas (12th and 42nd) set up the victory for the Goan side which outplayed its rival in all aspects of the game. Savio Canario (15th) scored the other goal for SESA.
Sloppy defending
It was a disappointing show from the Bangalore team which promised much after its domineering show in the first match. The Bangalore side paid a heavy price for its sloppy defending as the Goans cashed in on the opportunities.
The Goans were more convincing in their moves and struck twice in the space of three minutes in the first half to take the wind out of the Bangalore side’s sails. Marcus Maschrenas opened the scoring in the 12th minute after collecting a pass from Savio Canario.
Three minutes later, the Bangalore side’s defence was caught napping when the Goans doubled the lead from a set piece.A quickly-taken corner kick came to an unmarked Savio who unleashed a powerful shot from the top of the box.The twin strikes brought in a sense of urgency in the MEG ranks.
A looping throw into the Goan penalty area by Shiyad was cleared away by SESA’s Pratesh Shrodkar but the ball once again came to Shiyad whose gentle floater was headed in by Ajiraj K. Philip in the 23rd minute.However, the Goans scorched any hopes of a comeback by increasing the lead in the 42nd minute.
MEG goalkeeper Sarat Singh needlessly charged out and Maschrenas chipped the ball over the goalkeeper’s head into an open goal.The second half lacked the intensity of the first half.
