Team Herald
MAPUSA: Corps of Signals fought hard to hold Guardian Angel Sports Club to a goalless draw and split points in the Goa Professional League match, played at Duler Stadium, here on Saturday.
Guardian Angel’s fresh from their win over Panjim Footballers in the last match started positively but poor finishing by Kimran Fernandes and Ghanaian striker Bamba Musah Moctar let them down.
In the 29th minute Willian Niasso’s lovely floater in the danger box found Agnelo Colaco who disappointingly blasted the ball wide.
Guardian Angel’s almost broke the deadlock in the 37th minute when defender William ghosted down the right flank and after getting past Signals defender Om unleashed a fierce shot which was well stopped by keeper Binu Purushothaman.
Keeper Pratheesh Veettil came to the team’s rescue in the added time by bringing in a smart stop to deny Nokul in finding the back of the net for Signals after being put through by Vishnu Chhetri.
Changing ends, Signals coach Eban made a positive move by making three substitutions but it hampered as they were reduced to 10-man in the last 25 minutes when their substitute midfielder Roshan was injured and could not be replaced.
Beneston Barretto who was brought in for Guardian Angel changed the complexion of the match which caused problem to the well drilled Signals defence.
Minutes later, Beneston cleverly laid the ball in the path of Musah who outfoxed two Signals defenders and relayed the ball in the path of Gilbert Oliveria whose hot-blooded shot was well handled by keeper Binu.
Beneston had the opportunity to get Guardian Angel the winning goal on two occasions, first his header from a perfect cross delivered by Musah struck the top post to the relief of the Signals’ players and then minutes later being denied by the alert keeper Binu in a one to one situation from a pass by Gilbert.
Signals need to thank their keeper Binu who singlehandedly kept his team in the match as he once again brought an acrobatic save to keep out William’s shot from bulging into the net and snatch a valuable point.
