MAPUSA: Vasco Sports Club came back strongly from a goal down to hold Panjim Footballers to a 1-1 draw in the Goa Professional League played at Duler stadium, here, on Saturday.
After Saturday’s match, Vasco has 13 points while Panjim Footballers has 7 points.
Vasco SC made three changes in the line-up while Panjim had almost half of their side changed as five different players started the game.
It was a thrilling encounter where the Capital side came with two threatening attacks early in the match. Pandurang Gauns’ efforts was blocked by Vasco’s Warren Pereira. Minutes later, Akash Sanadi’s rasping strike sailed over the bar.
At the other end, Vasco’s Joaquim Abranches and Francisco Fernandes combined well but a fierce shot at the far corner of the goal was parried for a corner by Panjim’s keeper Preston Rego.
In the 10th minute, Panjim Footballers drew the first blood when Joyson Gauncar darted into the box playing wall passes with Pandurang and Llyod and scored with an adroit placement past Vasco custodian Risven Fernandes.
Risven who took the field in the absence of their regular two keepers nursing injuries produced two fine saves as he saved Krishna Gawas’ 30-yard strike while his second was even better when he put his body on line to stop Alent Colaco’s one-on-one shot.
At the other end, Savlon Fernandes sent a dangerous ball in the Panjim area to Anil Gaonkar, but the latter failed to push it at the back of the net.
On crossing ends, Port Towners came up with a series of attacks but luck did not smile on them with their skipper Joaquim Abranches missing four glorious chances.
In the 52nd minute, a cross by Anil Gaonkar saw Abranches’ header miss the target narrowly.
As the match progressed, Joaquim’s efforts at the first post was pushed for a corner by Panjim’s keeper Preston Rego. Minutes later, a corner by Denil Rebello travelled to Kuldeep Kumar who found Joaquim whose header rebounded off the post.
Then in the 73rd minute keeper Preston thwarted Joaquim in one to one situation.
Panjim’s defender and skipper Janio Fernandes was a towering lad defending and clearing Vasco’s raids inside the penalty box where his best being a block from Francis Fernandes.
However, finally the Port Towners came with their equaliser in the 76th minute. A long free-kick by Alson Fernandes saw Akram Yadwad push Anil Gaonkar just inside the penalty box prompting referee Melwin D’Costa to point to the dreaded spot.
All eyes were focused and kept their fingers crossed as Joaquim Abranches stepped forward to take the kick. This time he did not disappoint his teammates and supporters by finding the back of the net.
