Pro League action between Sporting Clube and Salgaocar FC on Sunday.
Photo Credits: The Goan Everyday
PANAJI
Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa played out a 1-1 draw in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Sunday.
Sporting Clube took an early 5th-minute lead through Marcus Mascarenhas, while Salgaocar equalised through a 29th-minute penalty by Saeesh Halarnkar.
Sporting Clube made four changes to the playing XI as coach Savio Vaz handed first start to Brendon Gomes and Joel Colaco, while Dattaraj Gaonkar and Girish Naik also returned to the starting XI. Meanwhile, Salgaocar fielded an unchanged XI from their previous 4-0 win against Vasco SC.
Sporting Clube broke the deadlock in the fifth minute after Joel Colaco made the move as he dribbled past a couple of Salgaocar players and squared the ball to Philip Odogwu, who was blocked by a Salgaocar defender. The Nigerian smartly rolled the ball to an unmarked Marcus, who slotted home from close to give Flaming Oranje and early lead. It was after 545 minutes that Salgaocar had conceded their first goal of the season.
Joel was justifying his selection ahead of Assumption as he was active on the left flank. He sent another dangerous ball in the box, wherein Dattaraj flicked his header but it was easily swallowed by the rival keeper.
With the play mostly restricted to midfield, Salgaocar were handed a chance when Steflon D’Costa was tripped inside the box by Alton Vaz and the referee pointed to the spot. Saeesh Halarnkar converted from the spot-kick at the half-hour mark to make it 1-1.
It was a one-sided game after the equaliser as Salgaocar totally dominated the proceedings. They created chances through Steflon and Selwyn as they put pressure on Sporting Clube last line but couldn't convert the chances. At the other end, Marcus made a fine run from the right and got past his marker Daniel Gomes and Stephen Alvares, but narrowly missed the mark.
In the second half, Sporting Clube had the first attempt at the hour mark when Myron Fernandes sent in a free-kick from the right, which was headed in by Alton, whose attempt went past the side post.
Sporting Clube squandered a chance to regain the lead when Selwyn Miranda gave a back pass which was intercepted by Myron, who upon entering the box fired straight to the keeper but the rebound fell once again to him, and the second half substitute was again denied by the Salgaocar keeper.
Salgaocar missed a chance to score when Sporting Clube’s Ozen Silva left his guard and Stephen Satarkar’s lobbed effort bounced and went over the bar. Ozen then made a fine save to block Stephen’s header in the stoppage time.
