TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Goa Velha Sports Club held Margao Sports Club to a goalless draw in a GFA Pro-League football match, here, Tuesday.
Margao fielded Anthony Dias and Gammy Costa upfront in a 4-4-2 formation while Goa Velha started in a 4-5-1 formation with Chatur Naik in the lone striking role.
Flavio Lopes ON HOLD: Goa Velha’s defender Criston Fernandes tries to hold Margao’s Gammy Costa in a GFA Pro-League football match, Mapusa, Tuesday. |
Goa Velha started confidently after defeating NRB Vasco 2-1 in their previous match. They could have opened their account in the second minute but Chatur’s powerful header sailed inches over the crossbar off a perfect cross from Nestor Dias.
At the other end, Margao started building up some promising moves that allowed Gammy to make inroads into the rival citadel. He almost scored but his stiff grounder went inches wide in the sixth minute.
Margao kept the rival defenders on their toes and Gammy had another chance after he dribbled past Goa Velha defender Ferran Fernandes inside the box but shot wide with only Goa Velha goalkeeper Siddesh Morje at his mercy in the 27th minute.
Just before half time, referee Chandrashekar Shirodkar flashed three yellow cards to Margao’s Sunford Cardozo in the 39th minute, Goa Velha’s Zico Costa in the 40th minute and Margao’s Francisco Calado in the 45th minute for dangerous play.
After resumption, Margao started brightly in search of the opener but Gammy’s powerful effort in the 51st minute and Sunford’s close ranger in the 65th minute was blocked by Siddesh.
Goa Velha tried hard to get back into the game but Saprem Diukar’s venomous shot in the 65th minute was eventually thwarted by Jovial.
Margao enjoyed the lion’s share of ball possession in the final quarter but lacked sharpness upfront. They missed a golden opportunity to snatch three points in the dying minutes after Gammy had done the spade-work to set up Anthony Dias inside the danger zone, but the latter saw his effort blocked by Siddesh, who was outstanding under the crossbar.
Goa Velha have now collected five points after 11 matches while Margao have 15 points from 12 outings.
Our Margao Correspondent adds — Wilred Leisure Sports Club quelled the spirited resistance of NRB Vasco Sports Club to register a narrow 1-0 win in a GFA Kingfisher Pro League football match at panchayat ground, Raia, Tuesday. There was no score at half time.
Substitute Alliston Fernandes struck the match-winner in the 89th minute.
Vasco, who had lost their previous match against Goa Velha, desperately needed a victory to avoid the relegation zone, played a tactical game in both sessions.
Vasco’s attacking combination consisting of Nigerian striker Emmanuel C, midfielder Jose Colaco and striker Afzal Shaikh came close to scoring twice in the first half. The first effort came in the 20th minute from striker Afzal Shaikh, who after receiving a through pass from Jose Colaco , shot straight into the safe hands of Wilfred Leisure goalkeeper Oliveira D’Souza.
At the other end, Wilred Leisure conducted well orchestrated raids but they were thwarted by rival defender Ghanaian Stephen Offei.
Midway in the opening session, Vasco would have surged ahead but Nigerian striker Emmanuel headed straight to the rival goalkeeper from hand-shaking distance.
Thereafter NRB Vasco Club looked to break the dreadlock but their forwards muffed chances from ideal positions.
Post resumption, Vasco could not take full advantage of their dominance despite pushing defender Stephen Offei upfront to bolster the attack. Wilred Leisure nearly broke the deadlock in the 49th minute but Vicky Cardozo’s feeble push went straight into the safe hands of Vasco Club goalkeeper Agnelo Noronha.
Striker Emmanuel was booked by referee Franky Fernandes for simulation.
The all-important goal came in the 89th minute when substitute Aliston Fernandes fired home after snatching the ball from rival defender Rajat Chopdekar, who failed to clear a pass from Wilred’s Agnelo.
Stunned by the setback, Vasco Club went all-out in search of the equalizer but the rival defenders stood tall in protecting their slender lead.
With this win, Wilred netted 13 points from 11 matches while Vasco are on four points from 12 matches.
Meanwhile, Vasco played under protest as the GFA docked their points.
