PANAJI
A last-gasp equaliser from Cajetan Fernandes ensured Sesa FA a crucial point after holding FC Goa to a 2-2 draw in the Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Sunday.
Sesa had taken an early lead through Shajam P (14’) before Christy Davis equalised before the break. Kapil Hoble put FC Goa in the driver's seat in the 75th minute before conceding a penalty in the stoppage time wherein Cajetan scored from the rebound to make it 2-2 after his initial effort was saved by the keeper.
Sesa FA made two changes with Shridharnath Gawas and Myron Borges starting the game. For FC Goa, Velroy Fernandes, Vasim Inamdar and Lesley Rebello were the three new faces starting the game.
While the first 10 minutes were restricted to the midfield battle, Sesa FA took a surprise lead in the 14th minute when Domnic Soares played a pass to Myron Borges in the midfield and the latter threaded a through pass to Shajam P, who fired a powerful left-footer giving no chance for FC Go custodian Hritik Tiwari.
FC Goa maintained possession but found it difficult to get the desired goal. They nearly got the equaliser in the 28th minute when Ivan Costa tried to find his teammates in the area with a cross from the left. But Sesa keeper Roanal came off his line to intercept. However, the ball travelled to Delton Coalco, who struck a fierce half-volley which was once again saved by the keeper Roanal Gaunkar.
In the 35th minute, Sesa FA’s Rizbon Fernandes sent a low grounder to Sameer Kashyap. The forward covered took a couple of steps and fired a long-range, which went way off target.
The first half was turning out to be a dull affair but FC Goa were awarded a penalty in the 40th minute. Brison Fernandes’ shot on goal was handled in the area by a Sesa FA defender. Christy Davis stepped over and coolly converted the spot-kick sending the keeper in the wrong direction.
The second half had a slow start but then both sides showed urgency to get the goals but their strikers couldn't test the keeper. After nearly 25 minutes of midfield duel, Sesa FA had the first shot of the second half in the 70th minute. Kapil Hoble lost possession to Shajam P, who just covered little distance and having an opportunity to go forward, opted to try his luck from distance. Much to his dismay, the weak shot didn't create much problems for the FC Goa keeper Tiwari.
At the other end, FC Goa finally took the lead in the 75th minute from a set-piece. Brison Fernandes sent a perfect delivery in the box which was headed in the goal by Ivon Costa. Much to his dismay, his header was blocked off the line by Myron. But Kapil Hoble was at the right place at right time to push the ball at the back of the net, to put FC Goa ahead in the game.
Just when it looked like FC Goa would walk away with three points, Kapil Hoble brought down Faheez Mohammed in the box. The referee had no hesitation in pointing towards the spot. Sesa’s Cajetan Fernandes who came on as a second-half substitute stepped up. FC Goa keeper Tiwari managed to get a strong hand to block the attempt which then came off the post. But the rebound fell to Cajetan, who scored into the empty net, 2-2.
