Team Herald
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MAPUSA: A dramatic 95th-minute strike by skipper Abdul Khan saw Valpoi FC salvage a 1-1 draw against Benny XI, in the GFA’s Second Division League match, played at the Poriat ground, on Wednesday.
The match began with both teams evenly matched in the opening exchanges. Valpoi’s Mohammad Khan came close to breaking the deadlock on two occasions, but his efforts failed to find the target.
Benny XI capitalised on their opportunities and opened the scoring in the 27th minute. Omkar Narvekar delivered a perfectly timed cross to Craig Menezes, who controlled the ball expertly and slotted it into the net, giving his side a 1-0 lead.
In the second half, Valpoi FC nearly equalised in the 52nd minute. Quasen Khan squared a precise pass to Zaid Khan inside the penalty area, but Benny XI’s goalkeeper, Adi Sharma, made a crucial save to deny the attempt, deflecting it for a corner.
As the game progressed, Adi Sharma proved to be a formidable presence for Benny XI, producing three brilliant saves to thwart Aryan Salunke and Zaid Khan on two occasions. Benny XI had a chance to double their lead in the 80th minute when Manesh Morje played an intelligent through ball to Craig Menezes. However, Menezes’ shot flew over the crossbar, to the dismay of his team.
Just when it seemed Benny XI would take home all three points, Valpoi FC’s captain Abdul Khan stepped up in stoppage time. Moving forward from his defensive position, Khan calmly placed the ball past the Benny XI goalkeeper, levelling the score at 1-1 and rescuing a crucial point for his team.
In another match played at the Duler Stadium, BAFF secured a convincing 3-0 victory over Sangolda Lightning. After a goalless first half, the BAFF colts dominated the second session, with goals from Mohammad Shaikh, Saimesh Gaonkar, and Sattyan Gawas sealing the win and earning them three points.
