TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Newcomers Tuff Laxmi Prasad Sports Club were held to a goalless draw by St Cruz Club of Cavelossim in a GFA Pro League at Duler Stadium, here, Tuesday.
Laxmi Prasad dominated but missed too many scoring opportunities. On the other hand, Cavelossim were a subdued lot in the first session but made their way back in the second with some dangerous moves but they could not score.
The teams started in a 4-4-2 formation. Laxmi Prasad fielded Alvito Miranda and Shubham Malvankar upfront while Agnelo D’Souza and Prestley Colaco headed the Cavelossim attack.
Laxmi Prasad made their intentions clear in the very first minute but midfielder Steven Fernandes’ powerful 30-yarder hit the sidenetting. They continued in the same rhythm and nine minutes later, Steven made a promising run in the rival citadel but his close ranger was blocked by Cavelossim defender Valinton D’Silva.
Alvito was working tirelessly upfront and came close to scoring on two occasions. First, in the 17th minute, his rasping long ranger was blocked by Cavelossim goalkeeper Jason D’Mello and then in the 27th minute his effort sailed inches over.
Cavelossim’s first threat came only after the half hour mark when Mario Mascarenhas’ out-of-the-box shot was thwarted by Laxmi Prasad custodian Reagan Juliano.
Just before the lemon break, Laxmi Prasad created another scare as substitute Avelino Fernandes cleverly set up Samprem Diukar in an ideal position but Cavelossim defender Richard Colaco averted the danger with a timely tackle.
Changing over, Cavelossim had a golden opportunity to score when Marcus Fernandes sent a defence- splitting pass to Agnelo but the latter’s chip over onrushing goalkeeper Reagan sailed over the bar in the 56th minute.
Four minutes later, Cavelossim’s Mohammad Ali brought down Avelino outside the box. Off the resultant free-kick Laxmi Prasad’s Freiman Peixoto sent a dangerous ball that sailed over the rival defenders and found Avelino but the last named was not quick in his finishing.
In the 69th minute, Laxmi Prasad should have scored but Steven shot wide from close range with only the rival custodian at his mercy off a pass from Alvito.
The closest anyone could get to scoring was in the 76th minute when Wilton’s free-kick hit the upright and went out of play.
