Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Lakshadweep played gallantly to hold Goa to a 1-1 draw in the 79th National Football Championship Santosh Trophy 2025-26 played at the Bangalore Football Stadium, Bengaluru, on Monday.
It was the same old story of dozen missed chances by Selwyn Miranda, Lloyd Cardozo, Pratik Naik, Joshua D’Silva, Arnold Oliveira and Brian Faria which saw almost exit of Goa from the ongoing tournament unless they come with a big win with hosts Karnataka.
In the added time of the first session, finally, Goa surged ahead from a well combined move where medio Arnold Oliveira back hilled the ball to Lloyd, who in turn found Selwyn Miranda, who drilled a stiff grounder to the far corner of the goal, 1-0.
On crossing ends, Goa continued to dictate terms but once again it was missed chances from the strikers.
While Goa failed to convert in the 65th minute, Lakshadweep were awarded a free-kick outside the penalty box where Sabir Pandaran beautifully curled the ball into the goal beating Goa defenders and goalkeeper to level terms, 1-1.
