Vasco score over Punjab cops

A late goal by striker Rui Wanderely enabled spirited Vasco, Goa, beat newly promoted Punjab Police 2-1 and register their first victory in the sixth edition of the National Football League, at the Nehru stadium in Goa, on Friday.

Satish Minz, in the 15th minute, and Rui Wanderely, in the 87th minute, scored for Vasco while the lone goal for Punjab Police came in the 41st minute, through Praveen Kumar.

With the victory, Vasco have four points, following a draw and defeat. For Punjab Police, this was their third consecutive defeat.

In an evenly balanced first half, which saw an equal share of exchanges, Vasco shot into the lead in the 15th minute through Satish Minz following a flag-kick, taken by Koshimov Avazbek. Minz's curling left-footer found the net.

Stung by the reverse, the policemen made raid after raid and came near to equalising in the 19th minute when Sher Singh sent a pass to Praveen Kumar, but the latter shot wide.

The cops restored the parity in the 41st minute through striker Praveen Kumar, who made amends for his earlier lapse. Gurinder Singh's move from the left flank and cross saw Kumar finish in style.

After change of ends, both the teams played an attacking game to resolve a deadlock. In the 53rd minute, Punjab Police could have increased their lead when Manjinder Singh sent a well-measured pass to Sher Singh but he was blocked by a Vasco defender and shot wide.

In the 57th minute, Vasco's medio Markos Pereira's powerful grounder from the top of the box missed the target by inches. Vasco had one more chance to take the lead in the 75th minute following a goal mouth melee but Punjab 'keeper Satish Kumar brought off a brilliant save off a shot from Wanderly.

Vasco consolidated their lead in the 87th minute through Wanderly, when Marcos Pereira, from midfield, passed to Koshimov Avazabeck, who sent a floater to Wwanderly. The last-named controlled the ball and beating the onrushing 'keeper for the match-winner.

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