Salgaocar score first win in NFL
Former champions Salgaocar scored their first victory in the Oil PSU-seventh National Football League when they got the better of JCT Mills, Phagwara, by a solitary goal at the Nehru stadium, in Margao, Goa, on Saturday.
It was the 1998-99 champions' first victory in three mathes, after a draw in their opening match against Churchill Brothers and a loss to Dempo.
For JCT, it was their first match in the tournament.
Tomba Singh scored the all-important goal in the seventh minute of the first-half after a lapse in the JCT defence. JCT defender Daljit Singh back made a feeble back pass to goalkeeper Arvind Kumar and Tomba Singh, who was lurking near the goal area, pounced upon the opportunity and shot home.
Earlier, in the very first minute, JCT could have forged ahead had not Salgaocar goalkeeper Juje Siddi brought off a fine save off a power-packed left-footer from Jaswinder Singh, off a pass from I M Vijayan.
Salgaocar then took over and made raid after raid on the visitor's citadel. They should have been up by at least three goals at the breather but failed to capitalise on the many chances that came their way.
In the very second minute of the first-half, Dudu Omaghemi missed a sitter. The striker had to only tap the ball into the goal after the JCT goalkeeper was out of his position. However, not having a clear look at the goal, he shot wide. It was good pass from Sunday Seah.
In the fourth minute, Salgaocar had another opportunity after a good move by Ryan D'Souza, who passed to Seah, who in turn relayed a quick cross to Dennis Cabral. The last-named, however, also wasted the chance.
In the 38th minute Omagnhemi again failed to connect a pass from Seah.
After change over, play was restricted to midfield for the major part without much action.
The only good move of the second half was by JCT, when in the 64th minute Jo Paul Ancheri's free kick hit a rival defender and moved towards Kuldeep Singh, whose carpet drive shot was brilliantly saved by Juje Siddi diving to his left.
Complete Coverage: 7th National Football League 2002-03
