Shario Gomes and Ashnoy Gomes score one each in their 2-0 win
Mapusa: Cortalim Villagers SWSC eased past Bidesh XI SC 2-0 in the GPL Relegation League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Sunday.
The contest began at a lively tempo with Bidesh XI showing early intent. Joel Passoni tested the Cortalim backline twice in quick succession, but the defence held firm, dealing with both efforts with composure. Cortalim responded in kind, carving out openings of their own. Clifton Rebello came closest early on, breaking through on goal only to see his shot crash off the woodwork, while Myran Pereira’s teasing delivery across the face of goal went agonisingly untouched.
With both sides evenly matched and chances at either end, the breakthrough seemed unlikely—until the closing moments of the first half turned the game on its head.
Cortalim struck twice in the space of a minute to seize control. In the 44th minute, Shario Gomes picked up the ball outside the box, shifted it onto his stronger foot and curled a precise long-range effort into the net. Before Bidesh could regroup, Ashnoy Gomes surged through the middle and finished clinically a minute later to double the advantage, sending Cortalim into the break with a commanding 2-0 lead.
Bidesh XI returned with renewed urgency after the restart, pressing higher and forcing Cortalim goalkeeper Passang Sherpa into a sharp save just past the hour mark—their best chance to claw their way back into the contest. Despite the pressure, Cortalim remained organised at the back and continued to threaten on the counter, with Shario Gomes coming close again as his long-range attempt shaved the post.
Late on, Bidesh had a final opportunity when Longjam Meitei found space inside the box, but a swift defensive intervention denied him a clear sight of goal.
