Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: An outstanding save by keeper Antonio Silva from the penalty spot helped FC Goa to hold Sporting Clube de Goa to a goalless draw in the Goa Professional League played at Duler Stadium here on Thursday.
Sporting are on 15 points from seven matches while FC Goa have 14 points from eight games.
Sporting came into the match after having drawn to Salgaocar FA 1-1, while FC Goa had beaten YC Manora 1-0.
Sporting Coach Francisco Vaz partnered Kunal Kundaikar along with Clive Miranda in defense in the absence of his skipper Alton Vaz who was serving suspension.
Young Gaurs in charge Deggie Cardozo brought in U20 Brison Fernandes and Brian Faria in the Starting XI.
After minutes of midfield tussle, in the 13th minute, an intelligent floater by U20 Vasim Inamdar was collected by Sporting keeper Ozen Silva before Kapil Hoble could do any damage in the process the latter collided with the keeper.
At the other end a long throw in by Sporting’s Myron Fernandes saw Nigerian Philip Odogwu flick the ball to U20 Dattaraj Gaonkar whose sliding touch of the ball missed the target by a whisker.
In the 34th minute Sporting Clube’s Philip Odogwu scored from a goal mouth melee but referee David Rebello ruled out the goal for a foul on keeper Antonio Da Silva.
Young Gaurs at the other end had their closest miss in opening their account when a long cross from Christy Davis saw overlapping Sarineo Fernandes connect the ball which hit the side netting.
On resumption of play in the 52nd minute Young Gaurs substitute Delton Colaco sent a through pass to Sarineo Fernandes who moved dangerously inside the penalty box and as he was about to pull the trigger Sporting’s Kunal Kundaikar came with a breath taking clearance for a corner.
It was almost a repeated action but this time at the other end when Sporting skipper Gautam Dias found Rohit Totad at the right flank whose teasing low cross at the goal was brilliantly intercepted by Gaurs defender Brian Faria for corner.
In the 73rd minute Aaren DSilva was brought in from the bench, who was out of action nursing injuries for almost a month.
Another glorious chance was squandered by Flaming Oranje Marcus Mascarenhas where his open header from outside the 6-yard box went just over the cross bar. With Clive picking up a knock and limping on the field, Sporting Clube coach Francisco Vaz made a rather surprise switch as he introduced an inexperienced U20 Irfan Yadwad in place of Philip upfront.
When it looked the teams were heading for a draw, in the second minute of the stoppage time, a clumsy tackle by Gaurs Lesly Rebello on Marcus Mascarenhas inside the penalty box prompted referee to point to the dreaded spot. Surprisingly injured looking Clive Miranda stepped forward to take the spot kick, which was brilliantly blocked by keeper Antonio Da Silva, who once again saved Clive’s rebound attempt.
Overall, a brilliant game and a good result for FC Goa while this is the third consecutive draw for Sporting Clube whose poor run in the last three games have affected their title defense.
