MARGAO
A 61st penalty conversion by substitute striker Joshua D'Silva gave host Goa their first point against Punjab 1-1 in Group A 35th National Games Mens football, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Friday.
If the pre-match were an indication of the importance of the game ” an opener’s mind ” then it was safe to say both the teams at the helm were in no mood to play safe.
Right from kick-off, though Goa took control of proceedings they were eager almost to establish their pedigree over Punjab.
Host Goa stormed forward in numbers in the early moments of the game when forward Clencio Pinto's rasping shot hit the cross bar much to the dismay of Goan supporters.
Goa was in possession of the ball in the first six minutes of play with Goan defender Umang Gaikwad and Clencio Pinto made some inroads inside Punjab territory but the Punjab defence line comprising of Harmanjit Singh, Sangamdeep Singh, Kishori, Jang Bahadur Singh guarded their citadel.
Punjab striker Abhishek Rattu's shot was cleared to safety by rival defender Rezvon Fernandes in the 14th minute.
Punjab breakthrough came in the injury time when midfielder Gurmet Singh after picking up the ball from his thumping header beat the Goa goalkeeper Sanji Bugde hands down.
Goa started sharper in the second half and their forwards troubled the rival defence and unleashed a couple of shots into the safe hands of the opposition goalkeeper.
Goa kept attacking in droves as they put Punjab on the back foot .A powerful free-kick taken by Goa's midfielder Shridarnath Dyaneshwar Gawas should have netted but Punjab goalkeeper Harpreet Singh pushed the ball away to safety in the 53rd minute. In the 61st minute, substitute Joshua Silva converted the spot kick to send the rival goalkeeper the wrong way after rival defender handled the ball inside the penalty box.
The teams traded misses, a highlight reel of overhead kicks, diving headers, and long-range hopeful punts.
Joshua D'Silva's downward header was blocked by Punjab defender Harmanjit Singh in the 71st minute. Goa midfielder Prachit Gaonkar's attempt was saved by the Punjab goalkeeper in the 90th minute.
