Team Herald
MAPUSA: Devendra Murgaonkar’s 94th minute header enabled Salgaocar Football Club to hold Goan Football Club to a 3-3 draw and split the point, in the Goa Professional League match organised by GFA played at Duler Stadium, here, on Saturday.
The spectators that came to watch one of the best matches of the ongoing GPL league as they were glued to their seats till the final whistle which saw the Green Brigade who were trailing by two goals till the 55th minute play gallantly to steal a victory from their opponents.
At the breather, the Young Gaurs led by a 2-1 margin, with Liston Colaco and Nestor Dias scoring, while Green Brigade scored through Devendra Murgaonkar. On resumption of play, Sarineo Fernandes made it 3-1 for Young Gaurs, while Samuel Costa and Devendra Murgaonkar scored for the Green Brigade
After Saturday’s encounter, Goan FC still sit on top of the league table with 14 points while Salgaocar FC have 11 points after their sixth round match.
In the sixth minute, Devendra Murgaonkar’s header from close was fisted for a corner by Young Gaurs goal keeper Shubham Dhas, while at the other end three minutes later, Liston Colaco drilled a stiff grounder from top of the penalty box but Salgoacar keeper S Rajini Kumar brought a full stretched diving save.
However in the 18th minute, the Green Brigade broke the deadlock, where a strike by Devendra Murgaonkar brushed the leg of defender Lalhmangalhsanga and the ball rolled into the goal.
Young Gaurs that were strengthened by six of the ISL players did not take long to level terms. In the 25th minute, they were awarded a free-kick a couple of yards from the penalty box where Liston Colaco brilliantly curled the ball past the Salgaocar’s defensive wall into the top corner of the goal to make it 1-1.
In the 35th minute, Green Brigade’s striker Ronaldo Oliveira danced past a host of rival defenders and latched a right footer which travelled just over the crosspiece.
Young Gaurs’ Liston Colaco almost netted his brace, but this time his free-kick banged the top upright and went out.
However, in the 46th minute, Liston Colaco did the spadework and placed the ball on the platter to unmarked Nestor Dias who tapped the ball into the goal to make it 2-1.
On crossing ends, in the 55th minute, Goan FC netted in their third goal from Sarineo Fernandes individual brilliancy.
Trailing by two goals, Salgaocar time and again attacked the rival citadel and had two good chances to reduce the margin. Ronaldo Oliveira’s 30-yard shot brushed keeper Shubham hand then the post and went out for a corner.
Goan FC coach Clifford Miranda who had brought striker Aaren D’Silva in the 15th minute of the match for injured Lalawmpuia had a poor match where he missed two open sitters.
In the four minutes of added time the Green Brigade scored two quick goals.
Samuel Costa 35-yard shot crashed into the top roof of the Young Gaurs nylons to make it 3-2, while a curling corner by Denil was headed into the goal by Devendra in the 94th minute to spoil Young Gaurs party by making it 3-3.
