Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Services and Maharashtra were held to a 1-1 from Group A of the Hero Santosh Trophy- West Zone Qualifiers, at Duler Stadium, here on Monday.
In the final group match, Services who had a better goal difference only needed a draw, but for Maharashtra a win was must to progress into the next round.
Maharashtra led 1-0 at the breather with the goal coming in the 10th minute from an awkward deflection after Dion Menezes’ direct free-kick struck Services defender Anoop Pauly and entered the net despite the valiant attempt by keeper Vishnu VK.
Services regrouped after the initial setback where Lallawmkima and Harikrishna tried their luck from distance, but their shots lacked direction.
Muhammed Inayath dangerously whipped the ball across the face of the goals but was timely cleared for a corner by defender Dion Menezes before any Services player could pounce onto it.
Crossing ends, Maharashtra should have doubled their lead but Pragnesh Solanki failed to keep his shot goal wards after being released by Allan Dias.
Minutes later, Muhammed’s shot struck a Maharashtra defender and went out from a cross delivered into the danger box by Sushil Shah.
Pragnesh once again squandered another golden chance in the 65th minute when only with Services keeper at his mercy but he blasted the ball wide.
Service made Maharashtra pay for their missed chances as they got the all-important equalising goal from a penalty spot which was converted by Lallawmkima PC after teammate N Herojit Singh strike hit defender Nachiket Palav’s hand.
The Maharashtra players protested with referee Rafeek on the decision which was turned down.
Tempers frayed not only between players but also coaches where in the closing minutes of the match Services manager was sent off by the referee for handling Maharashtra player on the field while Maharashtra coach Ansari Yousuf was cautioned by the referee for showing dissent earlier in the match.
Before kick-off, Glen Ticlo, MLA Aldona Constituency, V M Prabhudesai-executive Director of SAG and Bibiano Fernandes, India U-16 coach were introduced to the players and match officials
In the morning match, Lakshadweep finished their campaign with a commanding 3-1 win over Daman & Diu where Faizal Hussain, Abdull Nazar and Savad TI scored for the Islanders, while Raj Bhoir scored the only goal for the Union Territory side.
