Team Herald
PANJIM: Panjim Footballers and Salgaocar Football Club played out a goalless draw in the Goa Football Association Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Wednesday.
Panjim had the first attempt at the goal in the eight minute when Alston Camotio squared the ball in the box to Krishna Gawas, however, the latter’s left foot shot was easily collected by the Salgaocar FC keeper.
In the 12th minute Salgaocar FC’s Ribhav Saredesai played a dangerous ball in the box and Arif Pathan pounced on to the delivery and connected a volley which narrowly missed the mark. Arif should have done better considering the quality of the pass by Ribhav.
Panjim Footballers, the Sporting Clube de Goa development team, were lucky not to concede as Salgaocar FC’s Sanson Pereria’s cross cum shot hit the post and came back into the play. However, Panjim initiated a quick counter from the right flank wherein Chandan Gawas darted his way in the rival box and squared the ball to Llyod Cardozo but instead of keeping his shot in the frame, the lad shot wide.
Soon Panjim Footballers missed yet another chance, when Camotio played a ground ball in the box but both strikers Llyod and Krishna let the ball roll in front of them. This was a perfect chance for Panjim Footballers who were dominating the initial minutes of the game.
There was a moment of magic from Salgaocar FC’s Chaitan Komarpant when he danced his way past the rival players and on entering the box, tried a curl shot, which sailed over the bar.
Salgaocar FC had a chance to score just before the breather when Ribhav Sardesai played an aerial through ball to Devendra and the last man with only the keeper at his mercy shot wide.
In the second half, in the initial stages both sides play was restricted to midfield. But second half substitute Selwyn Miranda played Devendra in the box however, the striker couldn’t keep his composure in front of the rival goal as his shot landed in the stands.
Minutes later Panjim Footballers’ Preston came with a good save to deny Selwyn.
Salgaocar changed the gears in the second half as they came with much better performance in the final quarter. There were chances created with a good pressing game but the finish wasn’t there. They lacked the final touch.
Salgaocar FC looked to finally find the ball at the back of the net when Devendra capitalised and won the ball from Panjim’s Kunal and scored but it was ruled offside.
Panjim Footballers Chandan Gawas tried a solo run from the left flank and did everything right until when he was in the box, wherein he shot straight to the keeper.
