Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Cortalim Villagers Social Welfare Sports Club came from a goal down to hold Pax of Nagoa Sports Club in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Sunday.
In a Salcete derby, both the teams played almost on equal footing where both the team’s custodians were tested just once each in the first session.
For Pax of Nagoa, Mohammed Musharaf opened the account only to find Richie Vaz level terms.
After this drawn encounter, both teams have four points each from their third GPL match.
A well-executed free-kick by Cortalim Villagers’ Airen Fernandes was smartly collected by Pax of Nagoa SC’s goalkeeper Aryan Surwade, while at the other end, Pax of Nagoa SC’s skipper Schubert Pereira saw his strike from just outside the penalty box being confidently collected by Cortalim Villagers’ goalkeeper Frevino Fernandes.
On crossing ends, in the 65th minute, Cortalim Villagers’ stopper back Janio Fernandes brought a reckless tackle on Pax of Nagoa SC’s substitute Beneston Barretto just outside the penalty box. From the resultant direct free-kick Pax of Nagoa SC’s Mohamed Musharaf brilliantly curled the ball past Cortalim Villagers’ defensive wall into the far corner of the goal, 1-0.
Down by a goal, Cortalim Villagers’ coach Jude Barreto brought two substitution Rio Fernandes and Richie Vaz and the move paid dividend.
In the 85th minute, Cortalim Villagers were awarded a direct free-kick at the far corner flag.
Sydney Lucas free-kick at the far post saw U-21 Delmon Rebello header being blocked by Pax of Nagoa SC’s goalkeeper and the ball rolled to unmarked substitute Richie Vaz who toed the ball into the goal, 1-1.
