Cabral nets winner

Salgaocar tried their permutations and combinations with Jao Dos Santos taking centrestage. But tight marking by JCT’s Kuldip Singh and Deepak Mondal — who returned to the side after his Dubai adventure — handicapped the Brazilian import. It made Salgaocar rethink their strategy and it yielded result.

Cabral was a menace for JCT with his fleet-footed movements. He took care of the half-line with complete control, played as a withdrawn defender and appeared upfront in sudden spurts when the situation warranted. Similarly, Hardip Saini and Harjinder Singh fitted the bill for JCT with their quick movements and accurate passes.

After some tries, including long shots from either side, came the gem of a goal. Cabral, trapping the ball from a centre cross, passed on to Alvito D’Cunha near the flag who, in turn, sent it back to Cabral, some 30 yards from target. Cabral, after one-two by himself, sent a right-footer. And even as goalkeeper Baljit Singh jumped to grab the ball, it curled in to elude his outstretched hands and dipped into the far corner of the net.

In the second half, Salgaocar could have increased their tally, but Alberto missed a sitter and later Gbenga Lawal’s feeble attempt was easily collected by Baljit.

Coach Shabbir Ali praised the boys for playing a controlled game and their onfield strategies. But rival coach Parminder Singh put the blame on his defenders for the aerial play they indulged inside the box which made the goal possible.