Team Herald
GOGOL-MARGAO: Velsao Sports Cultural Club and Panjim Footballers played out a 2-2 draw in the GFA Goa Professional League match (Relegation League), at Chowgule ground, Gogol-Margao, on Saturday.
Both coaches Eban Mesquita of Velsao and Ajay Acharya of Panjim Footballers guided their respective teams to guard the defence lines after getting the extra cover from the midfield.
Both teams were on equal footing for the first 30 minutes.
It was Velsao’s U-20 striker Chadel Nash Fernandes who foxed Panjim defender Janio Fernandes and sent in a grounder to Cajetan Fernandes whose shot crushed into the Panjim Footballers’ net in the 36th minute.
Panjim footballers coach Ajay Acharya changed the game plan giving an extra task to striker Franky Oliveira to control the midfield as he passed the ball to U-20 midfielder Wilson Fernandes who had to just tap the ball into the Velsao net in the 34th minute.
As the match progressed, in the second half, Panjim’s Irfan Yadwad took a scissors kick but missed the rival target. .
It was Franky Oliveira who netted the second goal for Panjim Footballers in the 57th minute. James Fernandes equalised for Velsao in the 66th minute. In the 81st minute, refree Niazi Shaikh Abu gave marching orders to Panjim Footballers’ midfielder Chandan Gawas after a second booking.
In the dying minutes, Irfan Yadwad’s powerful shot was saved by the rival keeper. With just 10-men, Panjim Footballers fought back and prevented the Velsao strikers from scoring.
Elsewhere at Duler Stadium, Churchill Brothers beat Calangute Association 2-0. Clencio Pinto and Lalmwpuia scored for the Red Machines.
