Team Herald
MAPUSA: Unbeaten FC Goa managed to come from a goal down to hold Calangute Association to a 1-1 draw in the CAM Goa Professional League, played at Duler stadium here, on Sunday.
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From the 8 matches of FC Goa six matches ended in a drawn encounter and now they stand with 12 points, while Calangute Association has also 12 points but from 7 matches.
In the very first minute, Young Gaurs should have taken the lead but Vasim Inamdar’s header from just outside the 6-yard box sailed over the cross bar from Deeshank Kunkalikar’s cross.
Play was mostly restricted then to the midfield with both the keepers being hardly tested.
The match came to life only in the last five minutes before the breather.
This time another teasing cross from the right flank by Vasim saw overlapping Delton Colaco late to connect.
Another two-goal bound attempts by U-20 Vellington Fernandes and Vasim were saved by Calangute’s keeper Presley Mascarenhas.
The Beachside lads came close just once in the added time when Calangute’s substitute Richard Cardozo set up Junior Carret inside the 18-yard box whose shot from an acute angle was blocked by rival defender for a corner.
Just three minutes into the second session and Young Gaurs missed a glorious chance to take the lead.
Striker Vasim Inamdar darted inside the penalty box but Calangute’s keeper Presley left his charge to block Vasim’s efforts and defender Umesh Pujar cleared the ball for a corner.
In the 51st minute, Calangute’s Junior Carret sent a low grounder across the goal which was superbly connected by Pandurang Gauns into the goal to give his side the lead.
Calangute almost scored their second goal but Young Gaurs keeper Hrithik Tiwari dived and collected a hot blooded shot from U-20 Jovito Fernandes off Moises D’Sa corner.
Young Gaurs medio Malsawmtluanga broke loose inside the 18-yard box and scored 1-1, where a strong appeal for an off-side by the Calangute players was turned down by the referee.
In the 82nd minute, medio Lalremruata HP sent a floater to unmarked Vasim Inamdar to the disbelief of his teammates lobbed the ball over the cross bar with only keeper Presley Mascarenhas to beat.
Young Gaurs keeper Hrithik Tiwari received the man-of-the-match award from Jaju Fernandes GFA’s Executive Committee member.
