Press Trust of India
Vasco, March 12: Salgaocar held on to their first half strike by Gilbert Olivera to beat Shillong Lajong 1-0 and came out of the relegation in the Hero I-League here Saturday.
With this victory, Salgaocar have now moved up to sixth position in the points table. The solitary goal of the match by Olivera, whose pile driver from top of the box beat leaping goalkeeper Vishal Keith to find the roof of the net, earned him the man of the match award.
Salgaocar, who are unbeaten in the last three matches, took their points tally to 12 points, the same as Mumbai FC, but are behind them on account of head on count. Shillong Lajong, who suffered their second successive loss, are behind Salgaocar with 11 points from 11 matches.
Both the teams played attacking game throughout the match. Although the visitors enjoyed a slight edge, especially in the second half, and also managed to move the ball deep down into the Salgaocar half, they lacked ideas once they reached near the box and their moves fizzled out with Eder Monteiro playing the sheet anchor role in the defence.
Lajong had the first chance to take the lead in the early part of the match but Penn Orje directed his shot off the target. On the other hand, Salgaocar took the lead after a couple of close chances, scoring in the 31st minute.