Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Goan Warriors held Cunchelim SC to a 2-2 draw in the fifth-round match of the GFA’s 2nd Division league played, at Duler Stadium, on Tuesday.
Both teams were locked 2-2 at the end of first half with Chetan Shriodkar scoring a brace for Goan Warriors while Rohit Bharati and Mahableshwar Thanekar found the net for Cunchelim SC.
In a breath-taking first half both teams created numerous chances with Mahableshwar Thanekar and Mudassir Shah missing easy sitters for Cunchelim while at the other end Chetan Shirodkar too, could not find the net for Goan Warriors from close range.
Chetan Shirodkar was finally lucky in getting the opening goal for Goan Warriors in the 19th minute capitalising on a defensive error by the Cunchelim keeper and defender to give his side the lead.
Cunchelim almost levelled terms minutes later but Nayan Virnodkar`s well drilled 40-yard shot was acrobatically fisted out for a corner by Goan Warriors keeper Soma Korgaonkar.
Down by a goal, Cunchelim kept pressurising and got the equaliser through Rohit Bharati, who finished clinically from a pass by Ganesh Poojar.
It did not take long for Cunchelim to increase their lead when Nayan Virnodakar`s defense-splitting pass found Mahableshwar Thanekar, who beat the keeper with an adroit placement to make it 2-1.
However, their joy was short-lived as Goan Warriors fought back to get level on terms through Chetan Shirodkar whose long ranger caught Cunchelim keeper Dinesh off-guard and the ball entered the net to make it 2-2.
Crossing ends, Chetan Shirodkar nearly got his hat-trick but was denied by the brilliance of Cunchelim keeper Dinesh who brought a fine stop in the 51st minute.
Both teams went all out in search of the winning goal with but, Goan Warriors Chetan and Kunal strike could not a find a way past keeper Dinesh who was outstanding under the bar for Cunchelim.
At the other end, Goan Warriors keeper Soma brought a smart stop to keep out Mahableshwar`s cracking shot from entering the goal.
