MAPUSA: Calangute Association and FC Bardez played out a goalless draw in the GFA’s Goa Professional League, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday.
Both the sides met for the first time since their Police Cup final encounter and kept their large number of vociferous supporters on the edge of their seats throughout the 90 minutes of duel.
Calangute Assn missed Terence Lobo in the midfield who had to watch the match from the dugout due to a groin injury. Their new recruit Kouame Joseph Yao, in place of Steven Fernandes, did a fine job to sync in so quickly into the Calangute Assn rhythm, giving the squad the required boost.
Calangute Assn started off the match on an attacking pace where in their first move in the first minute itself, Yogesh Kadam’s cross found Runal Shirodkar, whose effort at goal was timely blocked by FC Bardez defender Rowilson Rodrigues.
Moments later Runall Shirodkar back heeled the ball towards Valerio Rodrigues, only to see FC Bardez defender Rowilson once again come with a firm clearance before any damage could be done.
FC Bardez defenders Matthew Gonsalves and Rowilson Rodrigues did a splendid job in the last line of defence to ward off the Calangute Assn raids.
In the 38th minute Kouame sent a teasing long through ball to Valerio Rodrigues only to see Mathew come with a superb clearance before the Calangute Assn striker could aim towards the goal.
Crossing over, FC Bardez seemed more focused in their approach and held domination of the attack, however their strikers failed to convert from the numerous chances that came their way.
In the 65th minute Girish Naik charged down the right flank and sent the ball towards unmarked Leston Afonso who was a wee bit late to get his head to the ball.
The constant pressure piled on by the Bardez colts who seemed to build on the Calangute Assn keeper Melroy Fernandes, who failed to hold onto Jessel Carneiro’s long floater, but to his relief the ball rolled out for a corner.
Three minutes later Girish Naik once again charged into the Calangute Assn citadel but this time his powerful grounder went just past the goal.
While FC Bardez attacked Calangute Assn almost took the lead when Valerio Rodrigues’s freekick found Olan Chandran whose firm header beat the keeper only to see defender Lenstan Afonso clear away the ball from the goalline.
In the injury minutes, FC Bardez keeper Mirshad Koottappunna made a brilliant save to pair away Agnelo Colaco’s right footed strike.
