Team Herald
MAPUSA: Panjim Footballers Sports Club huffed and puffed their way to snatch a valuable point by holding Goan Football Club 2-2 in the Goa Professional League match, played at Duler Stadium, here on Sunday.
Goan Football Club were leading 1-0 at half time with the goal coming from Lalawmpuia in the 39th minute, who after outwitting two Panjim defenders unleashed a fierce left footer from a tight angle which hit the far post and went in.
The Young Gaurs were unlucky to walk away with full three points after having most of the ball possession and creating better chances than their rivals and they had their first sniff at the goal However, in the 11th minute when Liston Colaco got the better of Panjim defender and fired a low grounder which was smartly stopped by the keeper Sherwin Da Cunha to see the ball hit the post and rebound into play but was cleared for safety by his teammate before any damage could be done.
Panjim Footballers almost got back on level terms in the 23rd minute, but were denied a goal by the brilliance of the young Gaurs keeper Shubham Dhas who came up with two saves in quick succession to stop Aiston Camotio and Snedden Rodrigues’ efforts from close range.
Crossing ends, Panjim footballers finally managed to find the equaliser when a neat build up between Aiston Camotio and Chandan Gawas found striker Snedden Rodrigues who calmly slotted the ball into the nets.
Liston Colaco made it 2-1 for Goan Football Club a minute later from a second attempt after his initial shot was well stopped by keeper Sherwin after being set up by substitute Imran Khan with a pinpoint cross from the left flank.
Panjim Footballers were in disbelief as to how the ball had not entered the net in the 70th minute after Snedden Rodrigues who not only outfoxed the last defender but also the keeper Lalhmangaihsanga to see his placement shot hit the post to the relief of the Goan FC players and the dugout.
However, their joy was short-lived as Panjim’s skipper Snedden Rodrigues finally found the back of the net in the 77th minute with a sumptuous placement giving no chance to the helpless Goan FC keeper to split the points.
Meanwhile, Churchill Brothers FC and Guardian Angel SC played out an enthralling 2-2 draw in the Goa Pro League match played at Rosary ground, Navelim, on Sunday.
With not much of action rather than Clifton Dias’ yellow card in the first half for Guardian Angel, the second session began with a bang as Churchill Brothers SC shot into the lead in the 47th minute through Clencio Pinto. But Guardian Angel were determined and didn’t lose hope and scored two goals through Yakubu Mohammed in the 61st and 70th minutes respectively, to give the Cuchorem side a well deserved lead.
But hardly had the joy settled down, Churchill Brothers were back on level terms thanks to Gilbert Oliveira’s equalising goal.
