FC Goa hold Churchill Brothers in Goa Pro League

The Junior Gaurs extended their unbeaten run in the campaign with the draw.

FC Goa came from a goal down to hold Churchill Brothers to a 1-1 draw in Goa Pro League. Afdal Varikkodan gave Churchill the lead in the 13th minute, before Delton Colaco equalised for the Junior Gaurs.  

Delton Colaco was the lone change for Goa to the side which beat Guardian Angel SC in the last match. Churchill, who held Vasco, also made few changes with goalkeeper Pratheesh Veetal making his first start of the season. Aaron Barreto was the other change for the Red Machines in the starting XI.

The match came into action in the 13th minute with Afdal Varikkodan putting Churchill ahead. Left unmarked, Afdal headed home Quan Gomes' corner to put his side ahead.

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FC Goa replied with two swift attacks. First, Delton's shot missed the target narrowly. Minutes later, Mevan Dias found himself at the right place, but his strike sailed wide.

The rest of the half between Churchill Brothers and FC Goa witnessed the ISL development side searching for an equalizer with continuous attacks, but none could make a difference to the score at half-time. They had one last opportunity before the break, when Delton nicely curled the ball to Mevan in the box. But, the forward’s header went over the crossbar with just rival keeper Pratheesh to beat.

Churchill coach Peter Vales made a double substitution bringing in Saurav Mandal and Clencio Pinto. Saurav just after coming in, directly went for glory from distance, only to see it miss by a whisker.

The Junior Gaurs also had a chance to level back in the 51st minute. Delton found Lalremruata HP in the box with a smart cutback, but the midfielder shot wide from an open chance. However, in the 70th minute, FC Goa managed to make it all square. Delton made most of a failed clearance by the Churchill backline to restore parity for his side.

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At the other end, Churchill’s substitute duo once again combined well in the opponent’s half. Saurav sent a perfect cross to Clencio in front of goal, but the forward could not control his header as the ball went over the crossbar.

Churchill had two more opportunities before the full-time whistle, but they could not make the most an easy chance. Afdal nicely jelled up with Saurav at the top of the box, where Saurav easily danced past two opponents to enter the box, but his sparkling strike was brilliantly saved by FC Goa keeper Hansel Coelho.

They had the best chance to grab all three points in the added minutes. A long throw-in by Rajender was brilliantly tapped to Clencio, who just had to beat the rival keeper. But, Hansel made a fantastic save in the dying minutes to book at least a point from the match.        

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