Velsao dent FC Goa’s title hopes in Goa Pro League

The Gaurs came close to scoring but could not capitalize on their chances.

FC Goa suffered another blow in the title race as they were held to a goalless draw by Velsao Sports and Cultural Club in the Goa Professional League match played at Utorda Sports Complex on Monday afternoon.

Velsao coach Eban Mesquita made three changes to his side which edged Corps of Signals in the last match as keeper Presley Mascarenhas, Kashinath Rathod and Shushant Borkar made into the cut. On the other hand, Goan coach Clifford Miranda made a number of changes following a 5-2 defeat at the hands of Churchill Brothers in the previous match as Lalhmangaihsanga, Sweden Fernandes, Zodingliana Tochhawng, Aaren D’Silva and Hayden Fernandes found their names in the starting XI for the Junior Gaurs. 

Though Goan started the match on attacking note, it was Velsao who looked at the goal first in the 8th minutes when Bersal Viegas cut past a defender and tried his luck from the top of the box but his shot missed the target narrowly.

Goan took more 11 minutes to come close to scoring as their defender Brian Faria nicely curled the ball to Lalawmpuia from the deep right flank but Velsao skipper Krishnanath Shirodkar made timely clearance at the cost of a corner.

A few minutes later, Junior Gaurs came with another swift attack as this time Sweden made a superb through pass to Lalawmpuia who easily danced past two defenders in the box and went for the glory from 10 yards but Velsao midfielder Sushant Borkar blocked his shot for safety.

At the other end, Bersal found his Krishnanath with a curling freekick from the distance but the Velsao skipper failed to keep his header on target from the 6-yards.

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Goan also had another chance to break the deadlock in the last five minutes of the first session as Hayden Fernandes set up Arren D’Silva with a freekick but the forward failed to control his header as the ball went out for a goal-kick.  

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Goans had few more opportunities just after changing the ends but none of them succeeded in finding the net as Velsao defenders stood tall to clear every danger. Lalawmpuia had the best chance in the 53rd minutes to put the Junior Gaurs into the lead when he was set up in the box by Zodinagliana with a through pass but Velsao defender Michael Silva cleared the danger before the strike could strike the ball in the nylons.

Ten minutes later, Velaso keeper Presley made an excellent save as he denied Lalawmpuia sparkling shot from close. They had two more opportunities in the added time as first, substitute Leander D’Cunha sent a header pass to Lalawmpuia in the box who was in the commanding position to score the winner but the forward failed to keep his shot on target from point-blank range. Whereas, the forward was unlucky in the last minute as his scorching strike from 10-yards rebound off the crossbar.