Goa Pro League: Salgaocar FC thrash Margao SC 9-0

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Defending champions Salgaocar FC scored an emphatic 9-0 victory against Margao SC in the second round of the Goa Professional League match at Duler grounds in Mapusa yesterday. Gilbert fired a hat-trick, Milagres and Marcus scored a brace each, while Brian and Nicholas chipped in with a goal each.

Salgaocar had a dream start to the match, scoring thrice in the opening ten minutes, courtesy of a Milagres double strike and a Gilbert long-ranger. Every time the Green brigade had the ball, they looked poised to score but luck eluded them at crucial moments, with the post coming to Margao SC’s rescue on at least three occasions.

In the 29th minute a lapse in concentration by young Salgaocar keeper Albino Gomes provided Margao with a golden chance to open their account but unfortunately their strikers couldn’t capitalise. Soon, Gilbert added his second of the day to give the Vasco-based side a 4-0 lead. Just before the half-time whistle, SFC U-20 player Aslon showed his class by getting past two defenders and setting up Brian Mascarenhas with a easy tap in at the far post to give Salgaocar a five goal cushion going into the break.

Salgaocar took their time in the second half to get their rhythm flowing, but once they settled down, there was no stopping them. Marcus Mascarenhas scored SFC’s sixth goal with his first touch of the match after a Nicolau Colaco cross was spilled by the rival keeper Rahul Yadav. Just minutes later, Gilbert completed his hat-trick with a calm finish.

Salgaocar displayed an attractive brand of football, the passing and off the ball movement was quite amazing to watch but poor finishing and bad luck let them down at times. Towards the dying minutes of the match, they added couple of more goals to their tally, to round off an impressive 9-0 victory over the Salcete-based side.

For Margao SC, this was the second heavy defeat after a 1-11 loss to Sporting Clube de Goa in their GPL opener.