Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Cortalim Villagers Social Welfare Sports Club came from a goal down to hold unbeaten Geno FC to a 2-2 draw in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Friday.
For Geno FC’s Zaid Khan and Sankalp Kankonkar scored, while for Cortalim Villagers Delmon Rebello and Sario Gomes scored.
After this drawn encounter, Geno FC have six points from four matches, while Cortalim Villagers also have six points from five matches.
Both the teams having drawn their last GPL match played earnestly to find Geno FC go into the breather with 2-1 lead.
Cortalim Villagers surged ahead in the 24th minute with U-21 Delmon chesting the ball into the goal from poor goalkeeping by Geno FC’s custodian Akshat Hadkonkar, 1-0.
At the other end, Geno FC’s Gautam Dias saw his stinging 30-yard strike kiss the horizontal bar and travel out. Cortalim Villagers should have doubled their lead in the 28th minute where an intelligent floater by Anish Gadar to overlapping Clifton Rebello saw the latter lob the ball out with only rival goalkeeper to beat.
In the last quarter of the match, Geno FC not only equalised in the 37th minute through Zaid of a defensive error by goalkeeper Frevino and defender Delmon, 1-1, but saw Sankalp Kankonkar dribble past host of defenders and score 2-1. Geno FC almost netted their third goal but Cortalim Villagers’ custodian Frevino fisted Nakul Gawas strike for a corner.
On crossing ends, Cortalim Villagers’ coach Jude Baretto brought two fresh legs, while Geno FC’s coach Francisco Da Costa made one change.
Cortalim Villagers time and again tried to make inroads in search of the equaliser but the last line of Geno FC’s defence failed to bulge under pressure.
However, in the 72nd minute, Geno FC’s Liston Cardozo was sent off by Referee Sachin Padloskar for second caution.
Finally, in the 84th minute, Cortalim Villagers came with a smart combined move built by skipper Pushkar Prabhu to Clifton who passed the ball to left winger Shario Gomes, who drove a power-packed right footer to the far corner of the goal, 2-2.
At Nagoa panchayat ground, Pax of Nagoa Sports Club downed Vasco Sports Club 2-0. Rorelliana scored in the 55th minute and Beneston Barretto in 90+4 minute of play for Pax of Nagoa Sports Club.
Churchill Brothers and Sesa Football Academy played out a 1-1 draw at the Sesa Academy Ground in Sirsaim.
Sesa drew first blood in the 11th minute through Likson Rebello after a well-worked move that began with a goal kick from Mahadev Gawade. His long clearance found Rohith who flicked a clever header behind the Churchill defence. Rebello reacted fastest darting between the centre-backs and calmly slotting past the advancing keeper to give Sesa FA the lead.
Churchill responded strongly after the early setback and continued to press for an equaliser. Their persistence paid off just before halftime when Dinesh Aribam’s curling corner caused chaos inside the Sesa FA box. Richard Costa’s flick failed to clear the danger and the loose ball fell to Clive Miranda at the far post who powered his header into the net to bring his team level.
