Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Dunes Sports Club secured a thrilling 1-1 draw with AA De Moira to split points in the GENO First Division League match, organised by Goa Football Association, played at Duler Stadium, here on Thursday.
In a keen tussle both the teams created back to back chances but some resolute defending denied any success until the 34th minute when Moira took the lead.
Jason Monteiro whipped a dangerous cross across the face of the goal where Rohit Totad missed to get a touch but teammate Pranit Sawant who was lurking nearby made no mistake in slamming the ball into the nets, 1-0.
Down by a goal Dunes responded back strongly and levelled terms in the 42nd minute through striker Albert Britto who finished majestically after being teed up by Anant Gad with an inch perfect pass, 1-1.
Moira started the second half aggressively and nearly took the lead but Rohit who was put through by Savio Fernandes, who saw his power-packed shot which was creeping into the goal being well kept out for a corner by Dunes keeper Alison Fernandes.
In the 75th minute keeper Alison came to his sides rescue when he left his charge in the nick of time to thwart Moira`s Rudresh Tendulkar from placing the ball into the net from a clever pass released by Dattaraj.
In the process the brave Morjim custodian got injured and was replaced by Shridhar Pujar.
Dunes nearly clinched all three points in the closing minutes of the match but first Alberto who was outstanding on Thursday, could not keep his header goal wards from a corner kick taken by skipper Shashank Ashwekar and then substitute Sylvester Dias with an open goal show straight onto the Moira keeper Preston off an intelligent pass by Rayan Britto to the dismay of the dugout and the players.
Alberto Britto from Dunes Sports Club  was rightly judged the Man of Match for his outstanding performance.
Meanwhile, Curtorim Gymkhana’ last ten minutes performance saw them come from behind to score full points against Cuncolim Union at Ambelim ground.
Neither sides were able to break the deadlock at the half time. Crossing over, Cuncolim broke the deadlock in the 67th minute through Raju. However, Milagres Fernandes made it all square in the 82nd minute and went on to score two more goals in the injury time to make it 3-1 in favour of Curtorim Gymkhana. Milagres was named as the man-of-the-match.
