MARGAO
In a dramatic showdown, Sporting Clube de Goa and Cortalim Villagers Sports Club played out a thrilling 4-4 draw in the GFA Professional League, at SAG Trinity ground, Benaulim, on Wednesday.
Rohan Rodrigues' late-game heroics secured the equaliser for Sporting Clube de Goa.
The action unfolded rapidly as Cortalim Villagers made a daring attempt when midfielder Ronil Rodrigues found the roof of the net in the 18th minute. The Flaming Oranje responded with a powerful shot from Vidipit Dua at the edge of the box which was skillfully directed towards the net in the 22nd minute. Unfazed, Cortalim Villagers went into attacking mode and in 23rd minute, Micheal Dias regained the lead.
As the second half kicked off, Sporting Clube de Goa came out blazing guns and substitute Mark Carvalho neutralised the lead in the 48th minute. Sporting's Allister Anthony scored in the 59th minute. Denil Rebello converted the spot-kick in the 68th minute sending the rival goalkeeper Abhimanyu Meetei in wrong way. Cortalim Villagers went all out and in the 79th minute Velroy Carvalho added his name on the scorer list.
However, Sporting clube de Goa pulled things back seconds before the full-time whistle when Rohan latched onto a ball and struck a curling shot from outside the box resulting in an exhilarating equaliser in the 88th minute crushing Cortalim's hopes of a victory.
After 18 games, Sporting have 34 points and move on top of the standings while Cortalim are on the same number of points in the second spot.
Meanwhile, at Sirsaim, Sesa FA couldn't overcome a sluggish start against Geno FC. Mohammed Faheez and an own goal from Myran Pereira put Geno FC in a commanding position before halftime. Joshua D'Silva pulled one back for Sesa FA in the second half, but it proved to be a consolation as Geno FC held on for the win.
