MAPUSA: Ten-men Salgaocar FC were held by Velsao SCC to a goalless draw and maintained top spot, in the CAM Goa Professional League, at Duler stadium, here, on Thursday.
After this drawn encounter, Salgaocar FC has 18 points from 9 matches while Velsao SCC has 8 points.
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Velsao SCC after their marvelous second half play against Dempo’s in last league match came aggressively in this match.
Two goal-bound attempts by K. Vinoth, Sheldon Pereira went just past the goal post while two deadly crosses by Wangkhem Singh and then by Imran Khan were blocked by the defender and keeper.
In the closing stages of the first session, the Green Brigade did come close in opening their account but a stiff grounder by Mark Carvalho and a free-kick by Samuel Costa too travelled just past the goal post.
The second session was played at a very fast pace where the ball travelled from one end to another.
Both the keepers came up with fine saves. Salgaocar’s keeper Jason D’Mello brought two out of the blue saves to deny K. Vinoth from scoring while Velsao’s keeper Rahul K.K was equal to the task to deny substitute Fhezer Gomes and U-20 Beckham Dias from scoring.
Green Brigade had their best chance to forge ahead but Antush Moniz failed to connect a long cross from Beckham Dias.
In the 61st minute, Salgaocar striker Mark Carvalho was sent off by referee Deepraj Sangelkar as he scored a goal by using his hand.
Velsao’s skipper squandered a glorious opportunity to score as he collected a pass from Imran Khan and had just keeper Jason D’Mello at his mercy saw his adroit placement go past the goal post to the dismay of his teammates and supporters.
In the 82nd minute, Salgaocar’s Fhezer set up the ball to unmarked Antush Moniz whose fierce shot at goal which was smartly blocked by Velsao’s keeper Rahul.
In a counter attack, Velsao’s Sheldon sent a through pass to Meuton Fernandes which was timely thwarted by keeper Jason D’Mello.
Salgaocar’s keeper Jason D’Mello received the man-of-the-match award from the hands of Adler D’Cruz GFA’s Executive Committee member.
