Pro League action between Velsao SCC and Churchill Brothers.
Photo Credits: The Goan Everyday
PANAJI
Velsao Sports and Cultural Club earned a point after a dramatic 2-2 draw against Churchill Brothers in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Tuesday.
Ronil Azavedo scored a 95th-minute equaliser for Velsao after Jobern Cardozo had scored a brace before Brian Mascarenhas scored from the spot-kick.
With the I-League players back in the squad, Churchill Brothers had a major shuffle in the line-up with five new players. Kingslee Fernandes, Shubert Pereira started while Bryce Miranda was on the bench. Velsao SCC, playing their penultimate league match, also made five changes as veteran Joseph Pereira started while U-20 player Caine Moura was handed his first start of the season.
Churchill Brothers had the first shot on target in the fourth minute when Bersal Viegas, on seeing Kingslee Fernandes make a run in the box, set the midfielder through. The last-named got past one Velsao player and took a shot which was blocked by Velsao custodian Presley Mascarenhas.
Churchill Brothers FC conceded a soft penalty in the 18th minute when Asif Ali Molla brought down Joseph Pereira in the box. Brian Mascarenhas slammed the ball past the Red Machines custodian despite Debnath Mondal diving in the right direction.
There was no much action for the remainder of the game as the teams were restricted to a midfield battle. However, Churchill Brothers levelled the scores in the 42nd minute when Presley Mascrenhas failed to cleanly collect a low shot from Shubert Pereira and the ball rolled to Jobern Cardozo, who scored with a simple tap-in.
Kingslee Fernandes made it difficult for Velsao to anticipate his runs and stunned the Velsao backline with a defence-splitting pass to Franky Olivera, who saw his effort being blocked by Velsao keeper Presley.
Churchill Brothers took the lead in the 52nd minute and it was once again Kingslee who started the move. The midfielder threaded Shubert through on the left flank. The winger whipped a cross in the box to an unmarked Jobern Cardozo, who scored with a simple tap-in.
The Red Machines were unlucky not to score their third as Shubert was denied by the post. At the hour mark, Joseph Pereira saw his effort cleared off the line by Asif.
Velsao had the best chance to get back into the game in the 80th minute when Brian Mascarenhas sent a floater in the box, which beat the entire Churchill defence and found Piyush Sikarwar, but the lad failed to control the ball with just the keeper at his mercy.
Velsao, however, stunned Churchill with a 95th-minute equaliser when Ronil Azavedo scored a stunner from outside the box with the last kick of the game.
