Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Heroics from Sesa FA custodian enabled Sesa Football Academy to play a goalless draw against holders Sporting Clube de Goa in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Sunday.
Sesa FA under the leadership of new signing coach Jason D’Melo fielded six U-21 Academy lads, who fought gallantly till the final hooter and returned home with a precious point.
Play was mostly restricted to the midfield for major part of both the session of play though Flaming Orange had three close attacks at the rival goal but Sesa FA’s custodian Micky Dias time and again came to his team’s rescue.
In the 24th minute, Sesa FA’s custodian U-21 Micky Dias brought out of the blue save as he paired Edwin Viegas’ strike for a corner and once again in the 35th minute skipper Kunal Kundaikar connected Myron Fernandes’ free-kick with a hot-blooded shot which was brilliantly fisted for a corner by the goalkeeper.
On crossing over, Sesa FA’s coach brought in striker Likson Rebelo and Aman Rajbhar to bring teeth in the attacks. However, Sporting Clube’s stopper-back Edwin Viegas and Joel Colaco gave them very little space to operate.
At the other end, Sporting Clube in charge Francisco Savio Vaz brought in fresh legs Francisco Fernandes and Doyal Alves from the bench. Nothing much transcribed in the entire second session where it came to live only in the 86th minute when Sporting Clube’s substitute Leran Dias sent a curling cross at the goal area which saw Sesa FA’s custodian Micky bring an acrobatic save.
And then at the other end in the added time Sporting Clube’s medio Ivon Costa brought a timely clearance to deny Sesa FA’s Likson Rebelo from scoring.
At Raia panchayat ground, Dempo Sports Club and Geno FC played a goalless draw. Dempo SC skipper Arnaldo Oliveira was adjudged as player-of-the-match.