Santosh Trophy: Goa thump Odisha to keep semi-final hopes alive

A hat-trick of goals as well as assists from Victorino Fernandes helped Goa register a thumping 6-1 win over Odisha at the Mohun Bagan ground in the ongoing 72nd Santosh Trophy.

The Goan skipper scored the first hat-trick of the tournament to keep his team in the race for a semi-final spot.

Goa dominated proceedings and were hungry for goals right from the beginning. Victorino scored the opening goal of the match in the 15th minute. Mackroy Peixeto curled a corner inside the box which was headed in by the veteran striker.

Odisha came back with a prompt reply as they equalised within a minute of Goa's goal. Arbin Lakra floated a cross inside the box which was kept in play by Bhabagrahi Padhihary, Sunil Sardar received the ball and found the back of the net.

Odisha came back strongly after scoring the equaliser and were attacking in numbers. They created several chances and were in control of the game. But Goa came back at the stroke of half-time as Victorino netted the ball in from Nestor Dias' cross.

The second goal proved to be a confident booster as Armando's men went all guns blazing in the second half. The intensity in Odisha's game completely vanished as Goa ran riot.

The Goan captain completed his hat-trick in the 54th minute from Clinton Niasso's pass. Machroy Peixito scored the fourth goal of the match in the 59th minute. Fernades flicked the ball above the entire Odisha backline and Peixito followed it inside the box. From a one on one position, he found the back of the net.

Goa's attacking approach after four goals yielded them two more in the 71st and 85th minute. The fifth goal was scored by Shubert Jonas Perriera who followed a through ball from his captain and slotted the ball home.

Marcus Mascarenhas hit the final nail on Odisha's coffin and once again the assist was provided by none other than Goa's captain fantastic.

Goa's big win today take them to three points. They need to win their final match against Punjab on March 28 and hope Mizoram beat Karnataka on the same day to qualify for the semi-finals.