Margao
Curtorim Gymkhana held a slight edge over their opponents in the first half with their midfield orchestrating several attacks forays but their forwards ran out of ideas after reaching the rival zone. Curtorim came close to surging ahead when striker Nelson Fernandes’ unimpressive shot went straight into the safe hands of Goa Police goalkeeper Rupesh Kamat. Goa Police who lost their previous match against Panjim Footballers 0-1 had two back to back chances but Abdul Khadar Khan in the 6th minute and Swadnand Naik (36th )took turns to miss the target. At the other end, Curtorim Gymkhana had a couple of scoring chances but Cliff Baretto’s attempt at the rival goal flew over the cross bar. Post resumption, Goa Police showed urgency and better application in their approach and had a golden chance in the 57th minute to break the deadlock with a quick counter attack when Swanand Naik sped down the left flanks and essayed a fine through pass to substitute Sachin Chopdekar whose shot went wide much to the dismay of the Cops’ bench.
Goa Police missed a gilt-edged chance to increase the lead in the 60th minute when he saw his shot from close range being saved acrobatically by Curtorim Gymkhana goalkeeper Joseph Monteiro as the cops took the game by the scruff of the neck. The decisive moment came in the 68th minute when Jesmon Soares floated the flag kick inside the rival penalty box.
Cliff Baretto unleashed a shot to beat the rival goalkeeper Kamat hands down. With time running out, Goa Police went all out in search of equalizer but rival defenders stood tall in protecting their slender lead.
