By Salgaocar FC Media

Goa: Salgaocar FC’s colts put up a stellar performance to demolish SAI 3-0 courtesy goals from Stephen Satardekar, Ruflan Fernandes and Mahesh Kumar to get their U-18 I-League campaign off to the perfect start. The winners led 2-0 at the breather.

The game got off to a brisk start with both sides playing attacking football. Whilst Salgaocar looked to use the width on the flanks, SAI used the centre channel with Anwarsha playing as the target man upfront. Coach Anthony Pereira chose to start with pacey striker Liston who was a doubtful starter for the game but had recovered in time, but the forward wasn’t his usual self and was wisely substituted as early as the 25^th minute for Flester Gomes. The Greens could have surged ahead in the 26^th minute as a cross from Lalit Tariyal from the left saw the ball reach Mahesh Kumar who was lurking at the far post. The diminutive winger pulled back for captain Denil Rebello who shot over from inside the box.

A minute later however, the Greens were in front. Ruflan Fernandes chested down a long ball at the top of the box and after beating a rival defender sent in an inviting cross. Lalit Tariyal who was unmarked smartly headed down for Stphen Satardekar whose first attempt saw Ahmed Asfar in the SAI goal pull off a smart reflex save. However, Stephen was quickest to react and slammed home the rebound.

Salgaocar could have doubled their lead in the 35^th minute but Ruflan’s shot off a corner from Mahesh Kumar was cleared off the line. They did however find the back of the net a minute later as Stefen sent Mahesh clear with a defense splitting pass on the right. Mahesh sent in an inch perfect cross for Ruflan to head home.

Minutes later Antonio Dylan Da Silva in the Salgaocar goal pulled off a smart save off a free-kick from D. Vignesh. At the stroke of half time, Anwarsha latched on to a loose ball and initiated a quick counter by finding substitute Ganesamoorthy on the right but the Salgaocar defence recovered well to ensure there was no damage done before half-time.

After the change of ends, the SAI lads seemed determined to reduce the deficit, thereby allowing the Greens to break on the counter. Of one such move, Denil broke free on the left and his left footer was smartly saved by the SAI keeper only for Stephen to blast over off the rebound.

At the stroke of 50 minutes Salgaocar found the back of the net for the third time as Lalit was put through on the left by Denil. His teasing cross saw an on-rushing Mahesh find the roof of the net with a power-packed finish. It could have got worse for the SAI lads as Denil and Stephen worked a delightful one-two, the former sending in a beautiful ball across the face of goal and a sliding Lalit failed to tap home a glorious opportunity. In the 68^th minute Stephen let fly from just outside the box, his shot just about grazing the upright and sailing wide.

Substitute Ronaldo Oliveira who was introduced by coach Anthony Pereira had 2 glorious opportunities in the dying minutes after finding himself with only the keeper at his mercy, but was unable to trouble the scorers any further. The Greens next take on Sporting Clube de Goa on 31^st October at the same venue.