PANAJI
FC Goa Development Team registered the first point of their 2nd Division League 2022-23 campaign as they shared spoils with Ambernath United Atlanta FC following a 3-3 draw at the Nagoa Panchayat Ground on Thursday.
Himanshu Patil, Ashley Koli and Arif Shaikh found the back of the net for the visitors while Delton Colaco, Jordan Borges and Bryson Pereira scored FC Goa’s goals.
The Young Gaurs started off on a strong note, breaking the deadlock in the 9th minute. Reezvon played an inviting cross from the right flank and following a number of poor touches in the box by the visitors, the ball fell for an unmarked Delton, who beat the keeper from inside the six-yard box.
The goal served as a wake-up call for Ambernath, who first equalised and then took the lead within the next six minutes. Skipper Himanshu Patil headed home in the 14th minute before Ashley Koli’s strike in the 16th minute handed the visitors the advantage. That, though, did not last long as FC Goa were awarded a penalty in the 27th minute. Jordan stepped up to take the spot-kick and sent goalkeeper Rahul Murali the wrong way as his attempt struck the left upright before deflecting in.
The remainder of the first period witnessed end-to-end action with both teams creating a handful of chances to regain the lead. Despite their best efforts, however, the scores remained tied at 2-2 until half-time.
Ambernath got the breakthrough with a goal in the 62nd minute, when Arif Shaikh guided home a pass from the right with a firm shot that beat the onrushing goalkeeper. The young Gaurs, however, did not give up and Bryson struck in the 75th minute. When the Ambernath shot-stopper failed to latch on to a wayward pass that came his way, Shitaljit Atom stole the ball from him, moved further out wide and fired a cross towards the far post for Bryson to head home.
Both teams then intensified their attacks in search of a late winner but the clock ran out before another goal and the match ended in a draw. In their next 2nd Division League assignment, the FC Goa Development Team will face Hyderabad FC Reserves in Bengaluru on April 3.
