Vasco share spoils with Velsao in Goa Pro League with referee in spotlight

The Port Towners once again failed to seal all three points despite dominant play in both sessions.

Velsao Sports and Cultural managed to hold Vasco Sports Club to a goalless draw in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium earlier today.

Vasco who had lost to Churchill Brothers in the last match, had two changes to their side as their coach Micky Fernandes gave the start to U-20 Pidroy Carvalho and Rugved Yeole, whereas, Velsao coach Eban Mesquita also made few changes to his side following a massive defeat against Dempo SC as U-20 goalkeeper Preston Rego, Myron Borges, Mathew Colaco and Lalbabu Matho made into the cut.

Both the teams started the match on attacking note as match witnessed end-to-end play in the first 15 minutes where Velsao were the first to look at the goal but Bersal Veigas’ powerful shot from 30-yards freekick rebound off the crossbar. They had another chance in the 34th minutes when Myron sent a cross to Dylan Rodrigues in the box but the U-20 forward failed to keep his header on target.

Vasco also made few attacks but most of their raids failed in the final third as U-20 striker Aman Govekar, Schubert Pereira, Rugved and Anil Gaonkar failed to capitalise on their chances.

Just before the halftime, Vasco skipper Lenstan Afonso was clearly brought down in the box by Velsao defender Bersal but referee Deepraj ignored the situation.

On crossing over, Vasco made two quick attacks from the kick-off but first Schubert’s through pass was intercepted by Velsao keeper Rego, while, Moises D’Sa failed to keep his shot on target from just inside the box.

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At the other end, Velsao had the best chance of the match in 57th minutes when their substitute Veegan Ferrao’s shot from 10-yards beat Vasco keeper Sanju Thapa but their defender Myran Pereira made a goalline clearance to keep his side safe.

At the hour mark, Vasco were awarded a free kick deep down the right flank when a Velsao defender brought down Shubham Malwankar just outside the box but Rugved saw his curling freekick missed the target by a whisker. Four minutes later, Rugved sent another curling freekick from the same side but none of his teammates succeeded in converting an easy chance.

Velsao defender Michael Silva was lucky to escape with just a booking when he dangerously tackled Anil just outside the box where referee Deepraj Sangelkar just booked him with the just yellow card where Vasco officials protested for his decision but the referee once again ignored the situation.

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A few minutes later, Vasco speedy winger was unlucky to find the net as his curling shot from the top of the box rebound off the crossbar with Velsao keeper Rego completely beaten.

The last quarter saw Vasco coming out all attacking but substitute Jason Vales, Schubert and Aman once again failed to convert easy chances. Whereas Velaso also had a chance in the dying minutes but substitute Manjunath Rathod’s strike was denied by the woodwork.