PANAJI: Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube de Goa played out a 1-1 draw in Goa Football Association’s Selvel Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Sunday.
Sporting Clube de Goa had taken an early 5th minute lead through Marcus Mascarenhas while that goal was cancelled out through a 29th minute penalty by Salgaocar’s Saeesh Halarnkar.
Sporting Clube got off to a positive start with a goal in the 5th minute. It was Joel Colaco who made the move, dribbling past couple of Salgaocar players and squared the ball to Philip Odogwu, who was blocked by Salgaocar defender. The Nigerian smartly rolled the ball to an unmarked Marcus, who slotted home from close to give the Flaming Oranje an early lead. It was after 545 minutes that Salgaocar FC conceded their first goal of the season.
Joel was justifying his selection ahead of Assumption as he was active on the left flank. He sent another dangerous ball in the box wherein Dattaraj flicked his header which was easily collected by the rival keeper.
With play mostly restricted to midfield, Salgaocar FC were handed a chance when Steflon D’Costa was tripped inside the box by Alton Vaz and referee pointed to the spot. Saeesh Halarnkar converted from the spot kick at the half-hour mark.
After the equaliser, Salgaocar FC totally dominated the proceedings. They created chances through Steflon and Selwyn thereby putting pressure on Sporting Clube last line but couldn’t convert the chances. At the other end, Marcus made a fine run from the right and got past his marker Daniel Gomes and Stephen Alvares but narrowly missed the mark.
In the second half, Sporting Clube had the first attempt at the hour-mark when Myron Fernandes sent in a free kick from the right which was headed in by Alton, whose attempt went past the side post.
Sporting Clube de Goa squandered a chance to regain the lead when Selwyn Miranda gave a back-pass which was intercepted by Myron, who upon entering the box shot straight into the keeper.
Salgaocar FC once again missed a chance to score and it was a mistake from Sporting Clube’s Ozen Silva, who left his guard but Stephen Satarkar’s lobbed effort bounced and went over the bar. Ozen then came up with a fine save to block Stephen’s header in the stoppage time.
