PANAJI
Guardian Angel SC scored an injury-time equaliser to script a thrilling 2-2 draw against Dempo SC in the Goa Football Association's Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Saturday.
Jovial Dias had given Guardian Angel a 15th-minute lead but the Golden Eagles put up a strong fight in the second half and levelled the terms through Shallum Pires. With a brilliant Pratheesh Veettil guarding the Curchorem team goal, Dempo had to take help of opposition player Leny Fernandes to get the lead. Joel Barretto scored a late leveller to earn a draw for Guardian Angel.
Dempo coach Samir Naik made one change to his 4-1 winning side against Sesa FA as Desmon Pereira was preferred over Danstan Randall. Guardian Angel coach Riston Rodrigues rang in two changes as Kimran Fernandes and Leny Fernandes were handed a start.
Guardian Angel dictated terms from the start as Jovial and Beneston Barretto attacked the Golden Eagles backline, which wasn't at their regular best on Saturday.
Guardian Angel deservingly took the lead in the 15th minute when Kimran Fernandes played a diagonal through pass from halfway mark to Jovial, who beat the Dempo offside trap with a timely run. Jovial entered the box and kept his composure in curling the ball past an experienced Melroy Fernandes. Richard’s corner kick was then met by a towering header from Shallum Pires, but the defender failed to direct his attempt in goal.
Dempo SC nearly scored the equaliser at the half-hour mark. Gaurav Vaigankar sent in a floater from the halfway mark but his delivery was half-cleared by a Guardian Angel defender as the ball fell to Richard. The former Sesa FA player hit a first-time shot which saw an equally brilliant answer from the custodian. The rebound fell to Uttam Rai, who pushed the ball into the back of the net but was ruled offside.
Pratheesh Veettil had an outstanding day under the Guardian Angel bar and he denied Rai from an acute angle. In the 55th minute, Dempo were handed a golden opportunity when Beevan got a half-clearance at his feet. The striker got past one defender and got in a good position but his shot sailed over the bar.
Dempo finally scored from a set-piece in the 58th minute. Richard's corner kick found Shallum at the far post and the defender slammed the ball into the roof of the net, giving no chance to Veettil in goal.
At the hour mark, Veettil was forced into action once again as he pulled off a diving save to deny Beevan, who tried to place the ball into the bottom-left corner from outside the box. The keeper then came with another super save to deny Suraj Hadkonkar's long-range shot from outside the box. The goalie then saved two headers from Uttam and Beevan, respectively.
Dempo finally found the lead when Kritikesh played Uttam through on goal and he tried to set Beevan but Leny Fernandes' interception sent the ball into his own goal. Guardian Angel scored a late equaliser through substitute Joel, from a goalmouth melee to end the game 2-2.
