MAPUSA: Corps of Signals held Vasco Sports Club to a goalless draw in the Goa Professional League match, organised by Goa Football Association, played at Duler Stadium here on Thursday.
The draw helped Signals to move two places to the fourth position in the league table with 11 points from seven matches, whereas the Port Towers has 8 points from seven matches.
Vasco coach Eban Mesquita made only one change to his side from the last narrow defeat against Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim as goalkeeper Amit Biswas replaced injured Suresh Lamani. On the other hand, Signals who had a comfortable 3-0 win over Panjim Footballers in the previous round made four changes bringing in Chand Singh, Kejins K., Paul Victor and Nitesh Parwar.
Vasco has the opportunity to open their account in the 4th minute when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box but Signals keeper Binu Purushothama excellently collected Minesh Kunkolkar’s curling shot, whereas a few minutes later Binu once again proved his calibre with a fine save to Nigerian striker John Nnanna’s powerful strike from inside the box.
In the added time, Signals were unlucky not to score when Thube’s shot beat Vasco custodian Biswas but defender Treyson D’Costa came with timely goal-line clearance to keep his side safe. Very next minutes, Signals were awarded a free-kick on the edge of the box but keeper Biswas made a diving save to push Lairellakpam Singh’s shot for a corner.
Vasco coach Mesquita brought in Anil Goankar and Clive Coelho at the half-time and the speedy winger Anil was in action within a minute after coming in as he easily cut past defenders inside the box and drilled a powerful shot only to see it cleared by Signals defender Victor.
In the 60th minutes, Anil once again made a swift ride on the rivals and tried to find Nigerian striker Nnanna but Victor once again cleared danger in a similar style at the cost of a corner. Vasco once again came close to scoring from the resulting corner when Deryl Endro headed on the goal off Anil’s short corner but keeper Binu made an excellent save to keep it clean.
The last ten minutes witnessed Vasco creating two more potent attacks where first, skipper Schubert tried his luck from just outside the box but his goal bound shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Binu. Later, Anil was in the commanding position to take his side ahead but the winger shot wide from close as the match ended in a goalless draw.
