Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Bidesh XI fought gallantly to come back from two goals down to hold Goa Police to a 2-2 draw in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Friday.
Goa Police went into the breather with two goals cushion from the boots of Mayuresh Naik and Anant Gad. However, on crossing ends, Daniel Gomes and Prathamesh Gaonkar scored for Bidesh XI.
Goa Police dominated the entire first session but managed to score just twice with Bidesh XI goalkeeper Roanal Gaunkar bringing number of saves.
Goa Police surged ahead in the very 2nd minute where Mayuresh Naik collecting a through pass from Kunal Salgaonkar drilled a left footer into the far corner of the goal, 1-0.
Kunal Salgaonkar, who was instrumental in the first goal, saw two of his strikes first being saved by rival goalkeeper and the next from Bidesh XI defender. Goa Police doubled their lead in the 21st minute when Anant Gad dribbled past Bidesh XI defender Myran Pereira and scored 2-0.
In the closing stages of the first session once again Bidesh XI custodian blocked Kunal’s free-kick for a corner and minutes later Raunak Toraskar’s strike.
Bidesh XI had just one good attempt at the rival goal but Clencio Pinto 25-yard shot was saved by Goa Police custodian Saiesh Kunkolkar. On crossing ends, Goa Police had two more chances to further increase their lead but Bidesh XI goalkeeper Roanal brought two outstanding saves from Mayurush Naik and Vaibhav Naik strikes.
Bidesh XI suddenly changed the complexion of the match as they stunned their opponents with Daniel Gomes leaping high above the rival defenders to head the ball into the far corner of the goal off Kirtikesh Gadekar pinpoint cross from the left flank, 2-1.
Pepped up by the goal Bidesh XI netted the equaliser in the 88th minute with Prathamesh Gaonkar guiding the ball into the goal off Omkar Shetgaonkar’s cross to level terms, 2-2.
