MAPUSA: An 85th minute goal by Joywin Costa helped Guardian Angel SC to hold Panjim Footballers to a 1-1 draw in the GFA’s Goa Professional League played at Duler Stadium, here, on Tuesday.
After today’s drawn encounter Guardian Angel SC has seven points while Panjim Footballers open their account with one point.
Guardian Angel SC Coach Riston Rodrigues tasted success in both of his opening matches while Panjim Footballers Coach Francisco Vaz was unlucky to lose both the matches by narrow margin.
Panjim Footballers went into the breather with Preston Rego’s goal while Joywin Costa netted the equaliser for Guardian Angel SC. Early in the match, Guardian Angel came twice close in opening their account but Joel Barretto strike was saved by Panjim Footballers’ custodian Preston Rego while minutes later Joywin Costa was just a yard behind to connect Joel Barretto’s cross.
While Guardian Angel did the attacking the capital side took the lead in the 12th minute of play.
Goalkeeper Preston took the responsibility to score from the penalty spot after Guardian Angel’s defender stopper back Peter Carvalho brought a harsh tackle on Richie Vaz, prompting Referee Raja Pir to point to the dreaded spot, 1-0.
Guardian Angel attacked aggressively and succeeded in obtaining six corner kicks but they failed to score with headers from Milroy, Clement and Joywin travelling over the cross bar.
On crossing over, the first 20 minutes were restricted to midfield tussle where at the hour break Guardian Angel’s Antush Moniz strike was saved by Panjim Footballers’ custodian.
In the last quarter of the match, Panjim Footballers were a complete transformed unit where the strikers two back to back scoring chances. Substitute Nigel carried the ball almost from his own half and on entering the Guardian Angel’s 18-yard box instead of taking a crack at the goal unselfishly sent a neat pass to unmarked Sainath Kankonkar, who to the total disbelief of his teammates placed the ball out.
Minutes later, this time Sainath was the provider and Nigel shot into the waiting hands of Guardian Angel’s goalkeeper Oswin Rodrigues. Two more chances were squandered by Panjim Footballers with Alvito Dias and Nigel shooting on top of the crossbar.
Guardian Angel finally levelled terms in the 85th minute where Joywin Costa nodded Peter Carvalho’s free-kick into the goal, 1-1.
In the added time, Guardian Angel almost scored the winning goal but Joywin was a second late to head a deadly cross from Clifton Rebello.
Guardian Angel’s Akram Yadwad received the man-of-the-match award from Climax Lawrence, All India Football Federation Executive Committee member.
