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In a must-win Group A game, Calangute Association prevailed over ONGC Football Club 2-1 with an 85th minute winner coming from an opportunistic Mayur Shellar strike to keep their chances alive in the 1st AWES Cup 2017 played at Duler Stadium on Tuesday.
ONGC were on the front foot from the outset dictating terms to the opposition. They were almost rewarded as early in the third minute when Himanshu Patil sent a neat cross from the right to a well-positioned Mukesh Minz, whose attempted header was blocked by the Calangute custodian Jason D'Mello. The ensuing deflection from D'Mello gave another opportunity to ONGC whose player Arjun Nayak missed a sitter.
ONGC continued to press on for a goal; enjoying ball possession and the game mainly restricted in the Calangute half in the opening quarter. In the ensuing period, Calangute's Myron Fernandes had a difficult chance from outside the box but his effort was a feeble footer.
The home side gradually grew into the game as the half-hour mark approached to get the game on an even keel. On the 27th minute, arising from a melee in the ONGC box, Calangute's Myron failed to capitalise on a good chance, shooting wide. ONGC had another shy on goal on the 32nd minute when Arjun Nayak sent a deft cross to substitute Prathamesh Kasare (30') whose rasping strike was well-anticipated by the Calangute keeper D'Mello, who tipped the ball over.
In the added time, it was all about Calangute who had two opportunities and made the second one count. Myron on 45+1' measured the situation well but his powerful strike from a fair distance sailed inches over the horizontal. Just before the breather, Myron had another chance with a cross received from the left flank from Omkar More and he coolly slotted it home with only the rival keeper, Soumya Das to beat.
Post resumption, both sides looked to step up the ante with ONGC almost restoring parity on the 50th minute with substitute Kasare squandering a header from a cross inside the box. Few minutes later, Calangute's Bersal Viegas' long ranger effort was brilliantly parried over by the ONGC keeper Soumya Das to a corner.
ONGC came back into the contest in the 57th minute when substitute Kasare levelled the scores arising from a well-directed freekick taken by F Lalmuanpuia. As the intensity of the game increased, with Calangute trying to press for the lead again in the must-win game, the visiting Mumbai side did not let the foot off the pedal either. Calangute had a chance to go ahead in the 67th minute when Joston Pereira's cross was powerfully headed by Josley Dias towards the goal but the rival keeper Soumya came up with a stellar diving save.
As the game began to open up, attacks and counters became more pronounced. On the 85th minute, Calangute Association scored when Mayur Shellar capitalised from a deflection with a strike taken from team-mate Joston Pereira which could not find target. Shellar celebrated the all-important goal with a cartwheel but the closing minutes gave the home side a few anxious moments. In added-on time, (90+2'), ONGC's F Lalmuanpuia's freekick hit the wall and went out of harm's way.
Calangute Association had earlier lost to Dempo SC 1-0 in the lung opener in their Group A clash while ONGC played the home side in their first engagement in the competition. ONGC next play Dempo SC on September 9. FC Goa Developmental squad take on Viva Chennai on Wednesday at the same venue at 4 pm.
THE HIGHLIGHTS
Just before the breather, Myron had chance with a cross received from the left flank from Omkar More and he slotted it home with only the rival keeper, Soumya Das to beat
ONGC came back into the contest in the 57th minute when substitute Kasare levelled the scores arising from a well-directed freekick taken by F Lalmuanpuia
On the 85th minute, Calangute Association scored when Mayur Shellar capitalised from a deflection with a strike taken by team-mate Joston Pereira which could not find target
