NT Reporter | Mapusa
Goa Police SC clinched a crucial 1–0 win over Churchill Brothers FC in the Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium on Monday.
Gauresh Desai’s lone strike secured Goa Police the victory.
Both teams opened cautiously, keeping their shape and offering little in the final third. Churchill came out sharper after the interval and tested the Goa Police goalkeeper in the 52nd minute with a long-range effort that lacked the power to trouble him.
Goa Police responded by taking control of the midfield and earned a promising free-kick in the 64th minute after Clive Miranda pushed Mayuresh Mahableshwar Naik near the box. While the attempt went over, the shift in momentum was clear. Shortly after, Kunal Salgaonkar slipped an incisive pass into the area, and Desai controlled cleanly before guiding a low shot past the Churchill keeper to give Goa Police the lead.
Churchill pushed late for an equaliser, but Goa Police’s defence stayed organised. A late booking for Stendly Fernandes summed up Churchill’s frustration as Goa Police held firm for three points.
