PANJIM: Trevor Dias’ strike in the last minute ensured that Goa Velha earned a point with a 2-2 draw against Vasco Sports, in GFA’s Goa Professional League football match, at Duler stadium, Mapusa, Thursday.
Vasco had themselves to blame for a self-goal and fritting away many clear chances. Leading 2-1, Vasco failed to play ball possession towards the end.
Vasco now stand with eight points while Goa Velha remained at the bottom of the table with three points after the eight round.
Goa Velha took the initiative from the word go and dominated the proceedings in the first half.
Forcing Vasco into a defensive game, Goa Velha shot into the lead in the very fifth minute, courtesy Vasco Sports Club. Goa Velha’s Trevor Dias sent in a dangerous free-kick with the ball floating into the Vasco’s cage. Vasco’s Agnelo Barretto rose to head the ball away but had the mortification to see his deflection enter into his own goal, to help Goa Velha register the lead.
Riding on a gifted goal from Vasco, Goa Velha continued their dominance but managed to keep the ball at bay with the proceedings mainly being settled in midfield.
Vasco coach Mathew made two quick changes bringing in Aniston Fernandes for Hari Parab and Gaurish Naik for Inacio Cardozo. The replacements added dynamism in the Vasco’s defence. The introduction of Gaurish added teeth to the Vasco attack changing the complexion of the game.
Vasco took the battle into the Goa Velha territory in search of an equalizer. Their efforts paid dividends minutes before the breather when Vasco’s dependable Jerose Oliveira found the nets in a scramble resulting from a corner-kick taken by Naveen Mendes.
Returning after the breather with both teams locked 1-1, Vasco continued to dominate the match though Goa Velha played their hearts out giving Vasco many anxious moments on the counter.
Vasco could have gone one up but Jerose running solo — outplaying the Goa Velha defence – stinging shot kissed the side bar and bounced back into play.
Vasco shot into the lead in the 63rd minute after unmarked Jose Colaco capitalized on the butterfingers of Goa Velha keeper Siddesh Morje, who failed to keep in the ball in his possession off a powerful shot from substitute Aniston.
Towards the last 15 minutes or so Vasco failed to hold the ball and maintain possession.
Goa Velha struck in injury time when an unmarked Trevor connected a cross from substitute Joshua Vaz that caught the Vasco defence napping. The goal denied Vasco full points.
