Tuff Laxmi were disciplined in defence, swift in their attacks, enjoyed the better share of exchanges and created many openings. They could have taken the lead in the early moments of the game but striker Marcus Mascarenhas failed to beat the rival goalkeeper Albino Gomes in a one-to-one situation.
The deadlock was broken in the 31st minute when midfielder Freiman Peixoto’s well executed flag kick was headed home by central defender Chika Walli beating the rival goalkeeper Albino hands down.
On the other hand, Salgaocar did not have any chances to neutralise and were restricted to their own half. Tuff Laxmi had couple of chances to increase their lead but their forwards misfired from close range.
Post resumption, with the introduction of Ivory Coast attacking midfielder and striker Dawson Fernandes changed the complexion of the game. Tuff Laxmi had a golden chance to increase the tally soon after resumption when Nigerian striker N.D. Opera’s rasping shot parried away by Salgaocar goalkeeper Albino and the rebound moved to Marcus Mascarenhas, but he messed it up.
Salgaocar who were not impressive in the opening session came close to scoring but Zakeer Mundapara’s snap shot miss the mark narrowly.
Salgaocar equalizer came in the 57th minute when Rosario Mendes from the right flank send a defence splitting pass, which was collected well by substitute Dawson to gently punt the ball in to put his team on equal terms.
Stung by the equalizer, Tuff Laxmi intensified their attacks and in the 70th minute Marcus atone his earlier miss when he beat the rival goalkeeper Albino with a neat finish off a well measured cross from Freiman Peixoto to put his team 2-1.
A minute later, Salgaocar suffered a jolt when referee Maria Rebello ejected Zakeer Mundapara for abusive language. Tuff Laxmi were unlucky when Mohammed Ali header kissed the cross bar. With time running out, Salgaocar went all out and in the 87th minute Dohou Peiree fetched the equalizer when he beat the rival goalkeeper with neat finish off a pass from James Fernandes.
In another match at Holy Trinity ground, Benaulim, a fine brace by Alesh Sawant helped Dempo Sports Club to overpower Churchill Brothers 3-2.
Dempo led 2-1 at half time.
Churchill Brothers opened the scoring in the very 4th minute when Nigerian Sunday C picked up the ball from Mainoo and the former beat the rival Dempo goalkeeper Bruno Colaco with clinical finish.
Churchill Brothers had a golden chance to increase the lead in the 6th minute but Nash Pereira was the culprit as he spurned the easiest chance by shooting wide with rival goalkeeper at his mercy.
But Dempo came back into the game and in the 11th minute striker Joy Ferrao tapped the ball in when Alesh Sawant free kick eluded the rival defence wall and lurking Joy pushed the ball into the net. Dempo’s second goal came in the 20th minute when Shallum Pires long ball caught rival defence napping and Alesh gently beat the rival goalkeeper with snap shot.
Thereafter, Dempo marched forward and troubled the rival defence with sporadic raids.
Crossing over, Churchill Brothers put up a better display and created many openings and in the 66th minute, Sunday C headed home off a well cross from Elvis Baretto.
Instead of getting demoralised, Dempo showed more determination. Their response came from the young player when Alesh’s free kick eluded both the defence and goalkeeper Sukhwinder Singh to troop out worthy winners after Myron Fernandes was fouled by rival defender late in the second half.
Churchill Brothers had a chance to level the score but Dempo goalkeeper Bruno Colaco dived at the feet of Sunday C and collected the ball to avert the danger.
