PANAJI
Velsao Sports & Cultural Club and Sesa Football Academy shared the spoils after playing a 1-1 draw in the Goa Football Association’s Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Friday.
Velsao had taken the lead in the first session through Klusner Pereria but their wait for their first win in the competition was extended by their own man Viraj Naik, who came off the bench and scored an own goal to help Sesa restore parity.
There were two changes in the Velsao line-up as Shamer Babu Swamy and Jesloy Moniz were handed their first start by coach Jude Barreto. For Sesa FA, the coach preferred to stick to the same eleven that lost 1-4 to Dempo SC.
Sesa FA had a couple of chances through Shridar Naidu and Cajetan Fernandes early on. Shridar had an opportunity to score but Velsao keeper Presley Mascarenhas did well to block the effort and the ball rolled to Cajetan, whose cross inside the box was handled well by Presley.
Velsao conceded a couple of free-kicks outside the box but Sesa FA's Cajetan saw both his attempts go waste as both the set-pieces came off the Velsao wall. At the other end, Velsao took a surprise lead in the 32nd minute from a set-piece. Klusner sent in a perfect curler from a 30-yard free-kick which landed in the top corner past Sapan Singh. The Sesa custodian should have done better as the ball went over his hands.
Velsao had another crack at goal when Savelon Cardozo tried his luck with a first-time shot but this time Sapan Singh managed to collect it cleanly. Velsao should have doubled the tally just before the breather when Ronil Azavedo, on receiving a pass from midfield, set Jesloy Moniz through with just the keeper in his sight. However, the striker placed the ball well wide of the goal.
The teams saw an end-to-end battle soon after the restart. Both teams had attempts at goal but neither side could create any damage. Dominic Soares' shot was easily saved by Presley while Velsao's Ronil headed straight to the keeper.
Velsao SCC scored an own goal in the 57th minute to get Sesa FA back into the game. It was a goal out of nowhere as Viraj, who came in minutes before, headed into his own net, in what didn’t even seem to be a clearance header.
At the other end, Velsao nearly took the lead when Savelon sent in a perfect delivery from a corner kick which found Josley, but his flicked header missed the far post by inches. Sesa had the best chance to bury the game in the injury time but Cajetan fired wide from close.
