PANJIM: Goa drew 1-1 against a strong Odisha side in their second match of the Sub-Junior National Football Championship (final round), at Dr Ambedkar Stadium, New Delhi, on Tuesday.
Odisha took the lead in the 31st minute after a cracking goal by Samir Kerketta.
Stewart Francis De Mello scored in the 46th minute to equalize for Goat. A second yellow card for Odisha’s Pintu Samal in the 60th minute left Odisha reeling with 10 men for the better part of the second half but Goa failed to take advantage as the match ended all square.
The opening minutes of the match belonged to Goa, who dominated possession and controlled the flow of the match. Goa came close to scoring in the 15th minute but a goal-line clearance by Odisha’s defence line denied them the joy.
In the 21st minute, a clever short free-kick for Goa saw Aman Bhor onto goal but Bhor could only shoot it wayward as the opportunity went abegging.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 31st minute after Samir Kerketta breezed past two defenders and slotted the ball home. Shortly after, Odisha hit the crossbar as the half-time scoreline read 1-0.
Seconds into the second half and Stewart converted his chance with utmost ease to equalize Goa’s deficit. After Odisha were reduced to ten-men in the 60th minute.
Goa had plenty of chances to take the lead, but a complacent attacking performance left them reeling.
In the 65th minute, goal scorer Stewart tried to take on the Odisha defence line alone, and nearly succeeded if his shot had not lacked the venom. Fifteen minutes later, a thumping Goan header flew inches past the goal.
Odisha committed bodies in defence and saw out the match as the full-time scoreline read 1-1.
Goa have collected four points from two matches and next play hosts Delhi in a crucial match number on April 14.
