the goan I network
DULER
Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim played their hearts out to hold Sporting Clube de Goa to a goalless draw in the 19th round match of Goa Professional League, organised by Goa Football Association, at Duler Stadium, here on Tuesday.
With the drawn encounter, Sporting have 43 points from 17 outings, while Cavelossim have just 8 points from 14 matches.
Sporting coach Mateus Costa started without two of his regular starters -- Victorino Fernandes, who was injured, and regular keeper Melroy suspended due to the direct red card in the last match with Nigerian striker Abiola Afuwape and keeper Ozen Silva replacing them in the lineup. Cavelossim in-charge Severino Fernandes, after his team’s big loss to Salgaocar FC in the last match, brought Ashley Araujo, Samson Simoes and Darren Fernandes into the starting XI.
The first quarter of the match was equally contested, but once Sporting took hold of the match they time and again attacked the rival citadel. In the 17th minute, Sporting midfielder Cajetan Fernandes sent his free kick to Nigerian striker Philip Odogwu but the striker’s placement was pushed for safety by keeper Razak Devsor. Two minutes later, Nigerian striker Abiola had a chance to score but his powerful strike hit a defender before going out for a corner.
In the 26th minute, Philip wasted a glorious chance to take the lead when Marcus headed the ball in his direction, but the Nigerian shot wide from close with just keeper Razak at his mercy. Marcus was unlucky in the added-on time of the first half when he dribbled past the defender and keeper Razak and sent the ball at the goal which to the dismay of his team-mates and supporters saw the ball hit the side post. A minute later, Marcus had another chance to put his side into the lead when Abiola found him with a curling cross but keeper Razak denied him the goal as he brought a diving save.
On crossing over, Sporting coach Mateus Costa brought in Sunny Fernandes by replacing Abiola. In the 56th minute, Daryl Costa flashed the ball from the right flank to substitute Sunny whose header went just past the side post. A few minutes later, in a similar piece of action, Daryl came with another deadly cross to find Sunny in the box but this time Cavelossim keeper Razak left his charge to collect the ball before it travelled to an unmarked Sunny.
Peter Carvalho moved from the defence to assist the strikers upfront but saw his header from close being blocked for a corner by keeper Razak, while in the added-on time, substitute Joseph Clemente saw his header off Cajetan’s free-kick rebound off the goalpost.
PLAYING TODAY
FC Bardez vs Calangute Association, Duler Stadium, 4 pm
