MAPUSA: Geno FC fought gallantly to hold Salgaocar Juniors to a 3-3 draw in a GFA's First Division league match at Duler stadium, here on Friday.
In a thrilling first session the teams were locked in a 3-3 draw.
Salgaocar Juniors scored two quick goals in the 9th and 10th minutes through fine headers from Under-20 Shaviz Phathan and Advait Sumbly respectively.
Minutes later, Salgaocar almost netted their third goal but a close header by Prathmesh Satardekar rebounded off the goalpost.
Geno regrouped themselves and reduced their margin in the 19th minute with Krishna Gawas scoring off a powerful header.
Salgaocar scored the third in the 21st minute. Shaviz Phathan collected a through pass from Beckham Dias, darted inside the penalty box and beat onrushing Geno goalkeeper Pratik Kankonkar with a neat placement. Salgaocar kept up the pressure and Advait was thwarted by custodian Pratik in a one-on-one situation.
In the last five minutes, Geno caught the rival defense napping and scored twice through Veron Pereira and Krishna Gawas.
On crossing over, Geno custodian Pratik brought off two smart saves to
deny Salgaocar’s substitute Michael Dias from scoring. At the other end, a placement from Geno's Kenrick Menezes missed the target narrowly.
In the added time, the Geno custodian was back in action as he swayed the ball for a corner following a long range strike from Ashley Furtado.
At Salvador do Mundo ground, Goa Velha outplayed BITS Pilani 5-1. After a goalless first half, Richie Vaz opened the account for Goa Velha in the 51st minute. Eleven minutes later, Sahil Kuttikar doubled the lead and Richie Vaz scored Goa Velha's third in the 76th. Joao Colaco added the fourth in the 86th.
BITS' Dwayne Neto reduced the margin in the 89th minute but Lokendra Thapa rounded off the tally for Goa Velha with a goal in the 92nd minute.
At Ella ground, Goa Velha Young Boys of Tonca squeezed past CDJ Ribandar 2-1.