TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: A missed penalty cost Salgaocar Football Club dearly as they played a goalless draw against St Cruz Club of Cavelossim in Airtel Goa Pro League football match at Duler Stadium, here, Wednesday.
After eight matches, Salgaocar are on 15 points and remain in the third position while Cavelossim are in the seventh spot with nine points.
Salgaocar could have taken the lead in the very first minute when left-back Milagres Gonsalves sent a long ball to Claude Gnakpa but the French striker’s clever chip was collected by Cavelossim custodian Jason D’Mello.
In the sixth minute, the match came to a standstill when goalkeeper Jason was down on the field unconscious for a few seconds following a late challenge by onrushing Claude.
The ambulance was ready but surprisingly, field Dr Jawaharlal Henriques was not in the Stadium when needed the most inspite of repeated pleas from the announcer. It was Salgaocar Physio Dilip Kumar, who came to the rescue and treated Jason.
As the match resumed Salgaocar had a glorious opportunity to surge ahead in the 15th minute after Claude was brought down in the danger zone by goalkeeper Jason. However, Jason redeemed himself by blocking Cluade’s shot off resultant penalty kick.
The Green Brigade enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession but their strikers lacked sharpness upfront.
Substitute Bali Gagandeep skilfully rounded off the rival custodian but delayed to shoot in the empty goal as Cavelossim defender Valinton D’Silva made a timely clearance.
At the other end, Cavelossim were a subdued lot and played defensively. Prestley Colaco’s powerful shot which went inches wide was their only attempt on goal in the entire match.
Post resumption, Salgaocar continued their dominance and pushed forward as Gilbert Oliveira dribbled past three rival players on the left flank and set up Bali but the latter’s rasping right-footer was palmed away by goalkeeper Jason as the ball hit the upright and went out for an abortive flag-kick in the 71st minute.
Four minutes later, Salgaocar were down to ten-man after Clifton Dias received a second yellow card followed by the inevitable red from referee Parmananda Mandrekar for a reckless challenge on Cavelossim’s Richard Colaco.
Undeterred, Salgaocar continued with the same rhythm but their attacks were restrained by their rivals, who were happy to settle for a point.
