PANJIM: Second half substitute Sweden Fernandes scored a 90+ 1st minute equaliser for FC Goa as they held Salgaocar Football Club to a 1-1 draw in the Goa Football Association Goa Professional League, at Nagoa ground, Verna-Nagoa, on Wednesday.
Salgaocar FC took the lead as early as in second minute when Sanson Pereira’s cross was converted by their goal-scoring machine Devendra Murgaonkar.
At the other end, Aaren Silva came close to scoring the equalising goal but his header went over the bar.
At the other end, Salgaocar FC kept on creating chances in the game as Ribhav Sardesai’s shot was saved by the keeper.
Later, Lalawmpuia tried his luck which brushed Salgaocar player and went out for a corner. Of the resultant corner, Salgaocar’s Karan cane with a goal-line clearance to deny Nestor Dias, who connected brilliantly to Lalawmpuia’s corner-kick.
Salgaocar FC had a free-kick opportunity just outside the box when Hayden tripped a Green Brigade player. However, Karan’s shot was easily saved by the keeper.
In the final minutes of the first half, FC Goa had numerous chances but their strikers failed to keep their efforts in the frame. Aaren Silva missed two headers.
At the other end, off a quick counter attack, Devendra Murgaonkar on receiving a ball from the midfield danced his way past the rival defenders wherein he almost scored his second but his effort from inside the box, which beat the keeper, hit the crossbar and came back into play.
In search of finding new ideas, FC Goa introduced youngsters yet experienced Liston Colaco and Kingslee Fernandes in the game.
However, With Salgaocar closing down the gaps, FC Goa’s Hayden tried his luck from a distance which was easily saved by the keeper.
Later, Salgaocar FC’s Stephen played an aerial through ball to Devendra but the lads left footer didn’t not threaten the keeper.
The tensions were visible all over field as one team desperately tried to find the equaliser while the other defended FC Goa has the best chance in the final minute when Hayden dipped another of his delivery in the box wherein Leander beat the off-side trap but his feeble header was straight on the keeper’s body.
Second half substitute Sweden scored an additional time equalising goal for FC Goa as his first attempt at goal off a corner was cleared off the line by Ribhav but the ball rolled back to Sweden once again who made no mistake this time.
