Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Calangute Association came from behind to hold Tuff Laxmi Prasad to a 1-1 draw in the 15th round match of the Goa Pro League played at Duler stadium, here, on Thursday.
In their first leg encounter, Tuff Laxmi got the better of Calangute Association through a 1-0 margin. After today’s match Calangute Association remain at third position with 22 points, while Tuff Laxmi stay on sixth position with 18 points.
Both the goals happened in the first session of play through their foreign imports with Ndubuis Opara putting Tuff Laxmi into the lead only to see Felix Chidi Odili come with the equalizer for Calangute Association.
Buoyed by the huge crowd gathered to support them, Calangute Association had the first clear look at the rival goal in the opening moments of the match through Yogesh Kadam whose powerful shot was brilliantly saved by keeper Siddhesh Morje.
Despite Calangute Association’s fine attacking prowess it was Tuff Laxmi who shot into the lead in the 6th minute of play through their ever reliable striker Ndubuis who on collecting the ball from Anthony Barboza, fired the ball past the diving Calangute Association keeper Jason D’Mello, 1-0.
Calangute Association did not allow the goal to dither their spirits and increased the pace of their attack and should have found the equalizer within five minutes. However, Felix on covering a few meters unleashed a powerful 25-yard strike which missed the target narrowly.
Felix once again came attacking viciously in the 19th minute and this time found the back of the nets by accurately positioning himself to slam home the ball off Valerio Rodrigues corner, 1-1.
On resumption of play, the teams in the initial moments restricted the game to the midfield but as the match progressed they gradually increased the pace.
Tuff Laxmi had some good chances of once again taking the lead but Agnelo Colaco twice saw his freekick go just over the Calangute Association post while Mackroy Peixoto’s 30-yard powerful effort sailed just past the top corner of the goal.
Tuff Laxmi keeper Siddhesh put up a splendid performance to frustrate the numerous attacks brought in by the Calangute Association strikers. First, he neatly pushed away Felix’s effort from close range and then dived full length to keep away Felix’s strike from inside the danger zone.
