the goan I network
DULER
Salgaocar Football Club fought back to wipe a two-goal deficit to hold Goan Football Club to a 3-3 draw, in the Goa Professional League, organised by GFA, at Duler stadium, here on Saturday.
The teams took the field after having registered wins in their previous fifth league matches and were looking to move up the league standings with a win. In an absorbing first half, the ball travelled end to end with the teams’ defenders and keepers putting in an extra shift.
Early in the match, both the custodians were tested but they managed to keep the slate clean. In the very 6th minute of play, U-20 player Viven DeSouza sent a neat floater at the far post to Mackroy Peixoto, who headed the ball in the direction of his team-mate Devendra Murgaonkar, who in turn directed his header to the far corner of the Young Gaurs goal. However keeper Shubham Dhas leapt high to push the ball for a corner.
At the other end in the 9th minute, Liston Colaco drilled a stiff grounder from top of the penalty box to find Salgoacar keeper S Rajini Kumar make a full-stretched diving save. However the Green Brigade opened their account soon as a strike by Devendra Murgaonkar brushed the leg of defender Lalhmangalhsanga and the ball entered the goal, 1-0.
However, it did not take long for the Young Gaurs to level terms as in the 25th minute they were awarded a free kick. Liston Colaco took the responsibility and scored a gem of a goal by brilliantly curling the ball into the top corner of the goal, 1-1. Ten minutes later, the Green Brigade’s striker Ronaldo Oliveira dribbled past a host of rival defenders and latched on a right footer which went just over the crossbar.
The Young Gaurs were once again awarded a free-kick just on top of the penalty box, but this time Liston Colaco’s strike banged the top of the upright and went out. A minute before the end of the first session, Liston dribbled past two Salgaocar defenders and squared the ball to an unmarked Nestor Dias, who guided the ball into the unguarded goal, 2-1.
Just ten minutes into the second session and the Young Gaurs netted in their third goal from a superb solo effort by Sarineo Fernandes, 3-1. In the 65th minute, Salgaocar’s Samuel Costa set up Ronaldo Oliveira whose 30-yard shot first brushed keeper Shubham’s hand and then the goal post before going out for a corner.
Another glorious chance went in vain for the Green Brigade in the 68th minute where Denil Rebello flashed the ball across the goal but Samuel and then Devendra were a bit late to get their head to the ball. At the other end, the Young Gaurs striker substitute Aaren D’Silva twice failed to score from open
sitters.
While the Young Gaurs failed to increase there lead, in the 91st minute, Samuel Costa scored a stunning goal for the Green Brigade as his long ranger crashed into the back of the Young Gaurs nylons, 3-2. Energised by the goal, the Green Brigade went all out in search of the equaliser, and in the 94th minute, they tasted success as a curling corner by Denil was headed into the goal by Devendra to send their team-mates and supporters into
raptures, 3-3.
