MAPUSA: Goa Velha Sports Club huffed and puffed to hold Penha de Franca Sports Club to a 1-1 draw in their second round match of the GFA’s First Division League, at Duler Stadium, here, on Thursday.
While Penha de Franca dominated the proceedings in the first session of play it was Goa Velha who called the shots in the second half.
Penha de Franca could have surged ahead in the 23rd minute, however, Raju Padoshi who made a fine run into the Goa Velha danger zone saw his strike bang the goal post.
That did not break their spirits and they attacked even more vociferously and were rightly rewarded in the 40th minute when Samir Agarwadekar’s long cross found Manjunath Rathod, who overpowered his marker to score through a header.
On resumption of play Goa Velha tried their level best to get back into the match, initiating several threatening moves and managed to net in the equalizer in the 71st minute when Jesroy Fernandes charged down the left flank and set the ball to Akeraj Martins, who weaved his way past his marker Siddharth Shirodkar as well as keeper Adney Fernandes and slotted the ball home.
Akeraj almost put Goa Velha into the lead in the next minute itself but his rasping shot was tipped over by the rival keeper.
Goa Velha custodian proved up to the in the 80th minute as he came with a full length diving save to keep away Shubham Malvankar’s strike from inside the box.
Goa Velha created havoc in the Penha de Franca citadel in the final quarter of the match piling on a series of raids.
Nestor Dias got his way past the defenders as well as the keeper and set the ball for Jesroy who was a wee bit late in tapping the ball into the nets.
Minutes later, Penha de Franca keeper Adney came with a save to deny Dario Rodrigues from scoring in a one-to-one situation.
Deep into stoppage time Akeraj saw his placing strike off Filton D’Cunha’s pass go inches past the target.
