DULER
Vasco Sports Club held Sporting Clube de Goa in an entertaining 1-1 draw in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League on Saturday.
It was late drama at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, as an 85th-minute goal by Akeraj Martins put Sporting Clube de Goa in sight of a last-gasp win. However, Joston Cardoz made it all square from the spot in the 88th minute for the Port Towners.
Vasco SC made an impressive start in the game, playing a high-pressing game. Having a strong midfield lineup, the men in white resorted to long deliveries in the box, forcing Sporting Clube to focus on defence and remain cautious throughout. Clive Miranda and Joel Colaco made some early interceptions to thwart the early danger.
At the other Sporting Clube’s Stendly Fernandes played Akeraj through on goal. The latter ran on the flank and threaded in a cross, which was intercepted by Vasco keeper Luis Barreto. Bersal Viegas sent in another long delivery from the halfway line to an unmarked Chirag Mardolkar. The youngster managed to get past Allan Peixoto, but his low cross in the penalty area was pushed for a corner by Clive.
Sporting Clube’s Stendly came close to scoring from a direct free-kick as his well-taken shot narrowly missed the frame. Sporting’s Dattaraj then sent a long ball into the box which Rio Fernandes couldn’t control.
Vasco nearly scored through a counterattack when Cavin Lobo played a brilliant through pass to Francisco Fernandes, setting him free on goal. However, Francisco’s goal-bound effort was blocked by Allan Peixto.
Crossing over, Vasco SC had a chance to break the deadlock when Francisco Fernandes sent a cross from the left to Reeve Dawson Costa, who shot wide from the edge of the box. At the other end, Brandon Fernandes whipped in a cross from the right, but Rohit Totad couldn’t head it with power.
In the 53rd minute, there was a penalty appeal from the Sporting Clube when Rohit was brought down in the box, but the referee waved play on. Sporting had a shot on target in the 55th minute when Girish Naik’s header was guided in by Joel, but the defender’s header was easily saved by Vasco custodian Luis.
The match then turned intense with tackles flying in from both sides. Finally, in the 85th minute, Sporting Clube broke the deadlock after some brilliant play from the Flaming Oranje. Stendly played Myron on the far right and the second-half substitute found Akeraj upfront. Despite being marked, Martins fired home from a distance.
Vasco were awarded a penalty in the dying minutes of the game when Joston Cardozo was brought down in the box by Girish Naik. Joston himself took the kick and converted to make it 1-1. Vasco’s Karan Shirdokar was sent off for a studs-up challenge on Rohit Totad.
