the goan I network
PANAJI
FC Goa were held to a thrilling draw after a first half strike from Yasir Mohammad was cancelled out by Victorino Fernandes in the second period of the Gaurs' first game of the Goa Pro League at Duler on Monday.
It was a frenetic start to the first half with both teams playing with pace. Sporting Clube de Goa, the more experienced of the two teams, attempted to keep possession of the ball early on and pass it around. However, the Gaurs came out with tremendous attacking intent. Kingslee Fernandes had a chance early on but his back flick was unable to find the back of the net.
It was the away side though that broke the shackles with a goal in the first quarter. Jonathan Cardozo's cross was blocked by a defender and the ball fell to Yasir Mohammad on the edge of the box who dribbled past three defenders to tuck the ball away at into the far post.
The home side looked for a way back into the game and had a series of corners thereafter but weren't able to find a way past the resolute FC Goa defence. Liston Colaco had a chance on the 22nd minute mark after Aaren D'Silva's knockdown. He sent a curler towards the far post but the goalkeeper managed to get around to make a stop.
Sporting should have been level on 35 minutes with Glan Martins setting himself up on the edge of the box. However, Iprotip got a hand on it to parry the ball to safety. FC Goa stepped up the pressure in a bid to double their lead and they almost had a second on the 40th minute mark as Aaren's superb touch sent Jason Barbosa through but the full back was unable to reach it before the goalkeeper.
The Flaming Oranje could have had an equaliser before the break after a missed clearance landed at Marcus Mascarenhas' feet. However, the unmarked striker blazed over. FC Goa did have the ball in the back of the net at the stroke of half time with Aaren heading in a corner from Liston. Unfortunately for the Gaurs, the goal was disallowed for a foul on the goalkeeper.
Sporting did get their equaliser almost immediately as the whistle for the second half blew. A freekick outside the box was curled towards the near post where Iprotip parried a ball into the path of the onrushing Victorino Fernandes, who promptly smashed home.
The Gaurs looked to re-take the lead and were granted a bonus when Glan Martins who was booked for a foul earlier, collided with Princeton Rebello. He was duly shown a second yellow for his challenge. With FC Goa strong on the numbers game, they pushed forward with purpose but were constantly thwarted by the organised Sporting defence.
It was the home side who looked more threatening following the sending off. Victorino had a superb chance to put his side into the lead after a blazing counter-attack saw him through on goal from the left. The striker however was not able to find a finish and smashed his shot above the crossbar. With the home side pushing forward, FC Goa were forced to retreat and held out for the draw.
