Team Herald
MARGAO: St Sebastian Union Club Benaulim and Sports and Welfare Club Zaino played out an enthralling 4-4 draw in the Goa Football Association’s Second Division League match played Artificial Turf, Fatorda, on Thursday.
In a match filled with a lot of action, the Zaino club led by Leslie Fernandes started attacking from the very beginning went ahead in the 7th minute of the game through Laxman Thapa who dances his way past the rival defense before slotting the ball home.
St Sebastian Union Club couldn’t hold of the high pressured attack from S&WC Zaino and their defense fumbled yet again in the 9th minute as Larren Simoes doubled the lead for Zaino.
Zaino continued to dominate the match as the Benaulim side fought hard to hold off the rivals however in the 35th minute Sports and Welfare Club Zaino netted their third goal through Laxman Thapa’s brilliant strike.
It looked as though the match would be a one-sided affair, until St Sebastian Union Club marshaled by Regy Rodrigues, displayed more of attacking prowess late in the game through Joel Fernandes and Garry Fernandes making runs upfront.
St Sebastian UC bounced back and managed to pull a goal back in the 43rd minute through Garry Fernandes and soon made it 3-2 as Joel Fernandes swept home the ball past the rival keeper just before the teams went into the breather.
Post resumption, St Sebastian UC levelled scores in the 46th minute through Joel’s strike and shot into the lead in the 86th minute through Osborne Fernandes.
Just as it seemed like St Sebastian UC will take home all points, S & WC Zaino were awarded a penalty after the defender tackled Zaino player in the box.
Laxman Thapa stepped up and calmly placed the ball home to rescue a point for his team in the injury time.
Elsewhere at Ambelim ground, Mandopa SC scored a narrow win over Varca SC, 3-2.
Varca SC opened the scoring through Reeve D’costa and soon doubled the lead in the 20th minute through Jhonus D’Costa in the 20th minute.
However, Mandopa SC came from behind and pulled back a goal through Travis Souza before Aulon Gomes equalised for Mandopa SC in the 49th minute.
Travis Souza scored again in the 51st minute for Mandopa to take home three points.
At Agassaim ground, Shree Nagesh SC defeated Carambolim SC, 2-1.
Shree Nagesh led 2-0 at half-time.
Sandesh Kunkolkar (28′) and Mayur Vernekar (38′) scored for the winners while Phadke (67′) scored a consolation for Carambolim SC.
In another match at Sangolda ground, Dunes SC defeated Xetrapal Sports Club 2-0.
Shashank Asvekar (46′) and Sylvester Dias (50′) scored the goals for the winners.
