Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Youth Sports Club Colvale and Don Bosco Oratory Panjim played out a thrilling 3-3 draw in the Goa Football Association U-16 League game, at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Saturday.
In the first minute itself, Panjim team were awarded a penalty after Youth Sports Club Colvale fouled their opponent in the box and the referee pointed straight to the spot.
Don Bosco’s Sanket stepped up but his effort was saved by Colvale keeper Vivek Naik.
However, Colvale were punished for their easy approach in the 5th minute when Shane Noronha scored with a clean finish, 1-0.
But Colvale side pulled up their stockings and put up a brave fight before they levelled terms in the 15th minute through Zaid Makandar.
Colvale were awarded a freekick just outside the box and the resultant kick was taken by Nathan Dias, whose attempt hit the cross bar and came back into the play, but Zaid was quickest to react as he pushed in the ball to make it 1-1.
After more of a midfield duel for the remaining part of the match Colvale took the lead in the 36th minute through a Nathan Pereira’s solo effort. The young striker was terrific upfront and was creating problems to Don Bosco defense.
However, the lead lasted just three minutes as Shane Noronha made it all square just before the breather.
Crossing over, there was end to end play with both teams showing their eagerness in netting goals.
Not being able to find the breakthrough with short passes, both sides opted long balls in a bid to break the play.
It looked like Don Bosco finally found the breakthrough when Leethan Pereira headed in a Irfan’s long ball only to see his goal ruled off side by the assistant referee catching him offside.
But in the 57th minute, Don Bosco surged ahead when Aswan Vaz lobbed the ball over the onrushing keeper to take the lead once again in the game.
The Panjim team had a chance to inflate their tally but Don Bosco’s Rahul’s effort was brilliantly punched away for a corner kick by Colvale keeper Vivek Naik.
Colvale coach Domnic Pereira made three substitutions bringing in a change in his game plan and the efforts paid off with a team goal wherein Colvale played passing game from their own half breaking the Don Bosco defense. Nathan Pereira was outstanding for Colvale as he ran past the right flank and dribbled past couple of rival defenders before setting up Irfan Shitholan for a simple tap-in to make it 3-3.
Colvale had a chance to bury the game in the final minute of the injury time but Nathan Dias couldn’t direct his header of a corner kick with just the keeper at his mercy. The final score read 3-3 as both the sides were forced to settle for a point.
GFA THIRD DIV LEAGUE
In the Goa Football Association Third Division League at Artificial Turf ground, Fatorda, St Sebastian Youth Club and Margao Sports Club played out a 2-2 draw.
