PANAJI
Guardian Angel SC and Cortalim Villagers SWSC battled to a 1-1 draw in a tense Goa Professional League clash at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Thursday.
Clifton Rebello put Guardian Angel ahead early in the second half, while Ronil Azavedo’s stoppage-time equalizer rescued a point for Cortalim.
Cortalim came close to breaking the deadlock in the 10th minute when Ronil Azavedo threaded a perfect ball to an unmarked Preston Fernandes in the six-yard box. Fernandes, however, failed to capitalize, misfiring wide of the target.
Guardian Angel threatened soon after, with Maxson Lopes latching onto a through ball in the box. Lopes aimed for the far post with a low curling effort but missed narrowly.
Before halftime, Lopes had another chance when Joywin Costa found him in space with a pinpoint pass. The winger chipped the ball over the advancing keeper, only for the post to deny him, as Cortalim’s defense scrambled to clear.
The breakthrough came just after the break, with Fedrich Fernandes lofting a long ball into the box for Clifton Rebello. The striker's powerful shot was initially saved but crept over the line, putting Guardian Angel in front.
Cortalim responded immediately, with Pushkar Prabhu testing Guardian Angel keeper Oswin Rodrigues from the edge of the box. Rodrigues was up to the challenge, producing a fine save. The in-form Rodrigues continued to frustrate Cortalim, denying a Velroy Carvalho header moments later.
Late in the match, Guardian Angel were reduced to ten men after Milroy Clement received his second yellow card for a foul. Cortalim capitalized deep into stoppage time, as Minesh Kunkolkar’s corner found Dhanushraj at the far post. Though his header was saved, Ronil Azavedo pounced on the rebound to seal a dramatic equalizer for Cortalim.
