Arun, Franky strike on each in their 2-1 victory against Guardian Angel SC
Mapusa: Geno FC edged out Guardian Angel 2-1 in the Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Thursday.
Geno broke the deadlock early in the second half when Arun Naik capitalized on a loose ball following a failed interception by GASC goalkeeper. Naik rifled it into the net to put Geno ahead. Guardian Angel responded in the 57th minute through Airen Fernandes, weaved through defenders, and unleashed a powerful long-range shot that slipped past the Geno goalkeeper to equalize. Geno regained the lead when Franky Oliveiro showed composure, dribbling past the goalkeeper and calmly slotting a pinpoint cross from Flan Gomes into the net to seal the win.
Following their defeat to FC Goa, Geno’s head coach Yash Nagwe shook things up with eight changes to his starting XI. New recruit George Dsouza slotted into the center-back role, while Niraj Parekh and Dishu Singh were deployed as full-backs. Saideep Tate occupied the left flank in midfield, with Gaurav Kankonkar and Mehbub Hublikar anchoring the central midfield. Up front, Arun Naik and Krishna Gawas were introduced to lead the attack.
Meanwhile, Guardian Angel, coming off a loss to Calangute Association, saw manager Anand Rodrigues make four adjustments to his lineup. Gurpreet Singh was handed the gloves, Airen Fernandes took charge of the midfield, Preston Castano operated on the left flank, and Joywin Costa spearheaded the attack.
Geno ramped up the pressure in attack, relentlessly probing the Guardian Angel defense. Arun Naik showcased his flair, skipping past his marker to break into the box before unleashing a low-driven effort, only to be denied by a crucial block from Guardian Angel’s Milroy Clement.
Geno nearly broke the deadlock moments later when Niraj Parekh delivered a precise low cross to the near post. Arun Naik connected with a close-range tap-in, but his effort narrowly missed the target, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
Geno wasted no time in the second half, breaking the deadlock in the 47th minute. Prajyot delivered a dangerous cross from the right flank, which the Guardian Angel goalkeeper attempted to intercept but failed to secure. Arun Naik was quick to capitalize, pouncing on the loose ball and rifling it into the back of the net to give Geno the lead.
Guardian Angel responded strongly to the setback, piling on the pressure, and their efforts bore fruit in the 57th minute. Airen Fernandes showcased his brilliance by winning possession in midfield, weaving past defenders, and unleashing a powerful long-range strike. While the Geno goalkeeper managed to get a hand to it, the shot had too much venom, slipping through his grip to bring Guardian Angel level.
Geno reclaimed the lead in style as Flan Gomes delivered a pinpoint low cross from the left into the six-yard box. Franky Oliveiro showed great composure, dribbling past the goalkeeper before calmly slotting the ball into the net to and seal his side three points.
