PANAJI
Cajetan Fernandes scored a brace to script a thrilling comeback for Sesa Football Academy in their 2-2 draw against Guardian Angel Sports Club in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Friday.
Guardian Angel had taken a first-half lead through Joel Barreto and Beneston Barretto. It was a tale of two halves at Duler where Guardian Angel dominated the first session and scored twice, while the second session was totally in control of Sesa FA, who not only got on level terms but also nearly struck the winner. However, the game was settled for a 2-2 draw.
It was a battle between two teams fighting the relegation and Guardian Angel were clearly the better side as the Curchorem side started brightly, dominating their opponents. They should have taken an early lead but Sesa’s Suraj came with a goalline clearance to deny Joel Barretto from scoring after he connected a Leny Fernandes corner.
However, it didn’t take long before Guardian Angel finally broke the deadlock and it came when Leny's cross deflected off Sesa’s Minesh Kunkolkar and almost sneaked into own goal but keeper Sapam Singh parried the ball only to find Joel, whose powerful volley crashed into the back of the net.
Sesa FA were clearly lacking a playmaker as the young academy side lacked creativity and intent in their buildup. Though they had created two chances, which were dealt with by Guardian Angel defence before the opponents could test the keeper. First, Shajam P’s cross was blocked by Leny and then Sesa’s Rizbon Fernandes saw his pile-driver come off a GASC player.
Guardian Angel, who were attacking in numbers, finally doubled the lead in the first half added-on time. Basanta Singh, on getting the ball on the right side, got into the middle and dribbled past his marker Myron before firing a low shot at the near post. Keeper Sapam anticipated the move and blocked it well but couldn’t latch on to the ball and Beneston Barretto slammed it into the roof of the net off the rebound.
In the second session, Sesa were clearly the better team. They created early chances through Stephen and Cajetan but couldn’t score until the 52nd minute where they were awarded a penalty after Benzu Clemente handled Stephen’s cross in the box. Cajetan reduced the deficit from the spot.
Within minutes, Sesa FA were awarded a freekick just outside the box when Leny fouled Faheez Mohammed. The experienced Cajetan took the responsibility of shooting and bent a curling free-kick into the goal to restore parity.
At the other end, Joel Barretto was denied by a brilliant Sesa keeper Sapam. In the dying minutes of the game, both sides had a chance each. But the keepers pulled off good saves to keep the scoreline intact.
