TEAM HERALD
rn
sports@herald-goa.com
rn
rn
MAPUSA: Salgaocar Football Club and Churchill Bros played a goalless draw in a round six match of Goa Airtel Pro League football at Duler Stadium, here, Friday.
rn
The teams made good moves forward and kept the crowds on their toes but their strikers lacked sharpness upfront and had to be content with a point each.
rn
The Red Machines remain unbeaten at the top of the standings with 14 points while Salgaocar are a point behind in the second spot.
rn
Portugal’s Hugo Machado made a debut for Churchill in the midfield while it was surprising to see Micky Fernandes alongside skipper Ravanan Dharmaraj in central defence. Gabonese Henri Antchouet partnered U-20 Naliston D’Silva in the striking role for the I-League champions.
rn
On the other hand, Salgaocar put their trust in Scottish Darryl Duffy and promising Aslon Oliveira upfront while skipper Rocus Lamare played a stellar role in the midfield.
rn
The teams started evenly with same pace as the ball was restricted to the midfield.
rn
Salgaocar created the first threat in the 14th minute when Aslon released Gilbert Oliveira inside the danger zone but the latter’s rasping shot was blocked by Churchill goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya.
rn
Hugo was creating waves in the midfield with quick one touch passes and in the 17th minute the Portuguese cleverly set up Henri, who skillfully got past Salgaocar custodian Albino Gomes but the striker could not control the ball as it went out of play.
rn
Subsequently, goalkeeper Arindam affected another save, this time denying Salgaocar’s Brian Mascarenhas from 20-yards.
rn
As the game became frantic, Duffy found himself in an ideal position on two occasions but his grounder lacked power at the half hour mark and then, in the 34th minute his effort went wide.
rn
Just before the lemon break, Churchill brought in Bineesh Balan in place of Naliston.
rn
Changing over, the match settled to a familiar pattern. Salgaocar had a chance to score when Rocus’ well-measured free-kick sailed over the rival defenders and found Chika Wali, who however, couldn’t connect his header neatly.
rn
In the 70th minute, Churchill made a quick move forward as Micky sent a long ball to Thangsam Singh on the left flank and the last named played a quick one-two with Alesh Sawant but Chika came up with a timely clearance.
rn
The Green Brigade enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession in the final quarter and had two glorious opportunities to score but could not capitalize. First, substitute Milagres Gonsalves’ grounder missed the mark narrowly and then in the injury time, Clifton Dias had all the time to score the match-winner but his shot went inches wide off Marcus Mascarenhas.
rn
