PANAJI
Vasco Sports Club and Panjim Footballers played out an entertaining 1-1 draw in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Saturday.
Joaquim Abranches scored a 76th-minute equaliser to cancel Joyson Gauncar’s 10th-minute strike.
Vasco SC made three changes in the line-up while Panjim had almost half of their side changed as five different players started the game. It was a fast-paced game with Panjim Footballers having some attempts at goal, forcing Vasco last line to be on their toes.
Pandurang Gauns saw his goalbound attempt blocked by Vasco’s Warren Pereira and then Akash Sanadi’s effort sailed over the bar. At the other end, Vasco’s Abranches and Francisco Fernandes combined with quick passes and then the latter forced a save from Preston Rego, who dived to push the ball behind for a corner.
Panjim Footballers were the first to break the deadlock in the 10th minute when Joyson darted into the box, playing wall passes with Pandurang and Llyod before finishing clinically past Vasco custodian Risven Fernandes.
Risven then produced two fine saves, denying Krishna Gawas from a 30-yard distance, while his second was even better when he put his body on the line to stop Alent Colaco’s one-on-one shot. Krishna had played a diagonal pass to Alent, who had ample time and space to place the ball but couldn't double the lead for his side. At the other end, Savlon Fernandes played a dangerous ball in the Panjim box, which Anil Gaonkar failed to guide into the back of the net.
Crossing over, Vasco came out with renewed ideas and nearly got themselves back into the game. It was from Denil Rebello’s cross which Abranches nodded in, only to be cleared off the line by Pandurang. Abranches came agonisingly close to getting the equaliser when he directed Anil’s cross from the right, which narrowly went past the post.
Vasco kept their search for the equaliser on and came close once again from a set-price. Denil’s corner was put back into the box by Kuldeep, where Abranhces’ headed in only to see his effort denied by the crossbar. Later, Kuldeep saw his effort from the flag-kick fly above the crossbar.
It seemed it was not just Abranches' day. In the 73rd minute, second-half substitute Hafiz threaded a through pass to Abranches, who got the ball on his preferred right foot and fired a firm shot, which was brilliantly blocked by Preston Rego.
Panjim defender Akram Yadwad then fouled Anil in the box and the referee awarded a penalty for Vasco in the 76th minute. Abranches stepped up and cooly converted to restore parity.
