MAPUSA: Panjim Footballers fought gallantly to hold FC Goa to a 1-1 draw in the Bhausaheb Bandokar Memorial Trophy organised by Goa Football Association, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Saturday.
FC Goa having got the better of Dempo SC started with the same squad so also Panjim Footballers who lost to Kerala Blasters.
For Young Gaurs colts Brison Fernandes opened the account, while for Panjim Footballers Ajay Raj wiped out the lead.
After two-goal bound efforts of Prachit Gaonkar and Brison were saved by the rival goalkeeper and defender finally in the 18th minute Young Gaurs scored.
Prachit sent a long ball at the left flank to Akash Oraow, whose deadly cross saw overlapping Brison connect the ball into the goal, 1-0.
Hardly had the celebration died down for Young Gaurs, a costly defensive error between defender Leewan Castanha and goalkeeper Bob Raj saw Panjim Footballers’ striker Ajay score to level terms, 1-1, in the very next minute.
As the match progressed, Likson Rebelo’s placement missed narrowly, while a stiff grounder by Brison was paired to safety by Panjim Footballers’ custodian Vipin Sharma.
In the added time, the capital side almost took the lead but goalkeeper Bob Raj came with a full stretched diving save to block Meislein Barreto’s header off Teron Fernandes’ cross.
Just two minutes into the second session and both teams came close in taking the lead. Young Gaurs Brison’s strike off Akash Oraow cross hit the rival defender for a corner, while at the other end, Panjim Footballers’ Ajay Raj darted inside the 18-yard box and drilled a power-packed right footer which was blocked by the rival custodian at the first post.
Young Gaurs’ Vellington Fernandes received marching orders from Referee Mario Pereira for second caution for rough play.
In the closing stages of the match, Young Gaurs’ Laltlanzova saw his shot being blocked by Panjim Footballers’ Tejbahadur Thapa on the goal line, while Laltlangliana curling shot went just past the far post.
Panjim Footballers’ Maximo D’Costa received the man-of-the-match award from Brahmanand Sankhwalkar, Arjuna Awardee and former India captain.
In the next match, Kerala Blasters and Dempo SC were locked in a 1-1 draw.
Kerala Blasters that had an easy victory against Panjim Footballers, saw Dempo SC who had lost to FC Goa start earnestly and score in the 13th minute of play.
Kerala Blasters’ Thomas Cherian was caught in the act of bringing down Dempo SC’s Pungte Lapong inside the penalty box, prompting Referee Tejas Nagvenkar to point to the dreaded spot. Sairon Albuquerque shouldered the responsibility and scored, 1-0.
Stung by the reverse, Kerala Blasters time and again attacked the rival citadel but Dempo SC’s defender Faseen P K brought two out of the blue blocks to deny Thingujam Singh from scoring.
Also Dempo SC’s custodian Myrick Hilario brought smart saves from Muhammed Nisham strike and Thingujam header.
In the 39th minute, a stinging 25-yard free kick from skipper Sukham Meitei was blocked by keeper Myrick and the ball rolled to Muhammed Nisham whose grounder was again this time blocked by defender Pratik Naik.
Five minutes later, once again Dempo SC’s custodian pushed Muhammed’s shot for a corner.
Finally in the added time, Kerala Blasters’ Aritra Das collected a long low pass from Sreekuttan M S and after taking a step slotted the ball into the far corner of the goal to level terms, 1-1.
On crossing ends, Kerala Blasters’ custodian Mohd Arbaz brought back to back saves froma Laximanrao Rane strike and a header.
In the added time, custodian Mohd Arbaz brought another spectacular save to fist a rasping right footer from substitute Mevan Dias. In the very next minute, the keeper blocked Mevan Dias shot and the ball rolled to Sheldon Fernandes who ballooned the ball over the crossbar from a close.
Kerala Blasters’ goalkeeper Mohd Arbaz received the man-of-the-match awarad from Goa Football Association Caitano Fernandes.
