Guardian Angel hold Sporting Clube to draw in Goa Pro League

This is Sporting's second draw in as many matches in their ongoing league campaign.

Sporting Clube de Goa and Guardian Angel Sports Club played out a goalless draw in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Tuesday.

Angel, who had lost to Vasco SC in the last match made a few changes to their side. Newly-signed defender Fulganco Cardozo got his first start. Their coach Riston Rodrigues also gave starts to goalkeeper Shivam Pednekar and defender Benzu Clemente. On the other hand, Sporting coach Savio Vaz chose to go with the same XI which drew with Vasco in the previous round.

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Sporting started the match on an attacking note and came close to scoring in the fifth minute. Forward Akeraj Martins tried his luck from the edge of the box. However, Angel's 'keeper Shivam dived well to push the ball for a corner. Five minutes later, the Flaming Orange came forward with another raid on their rivals. This time, Rohit Totad sent a defence-splitting through pass to Rio Fernandes, but the young midfielder's shot was an easy save for Shivam.

10 minutes later, they had another opportunity to take the lead. Stendly Fernandes nicely curled the ball to Rohit in the box who headed it to a well-placed Akeraj. However, the forward failed to connect from point-blank range, with just the rival keeper to beat. Sporting should have taken the lead in the 29th minute when Brendon Gomes sent a low cross into the box. But, Akeraj failed to connect from close range and the ball rolled to an unmarked Rio, who tapped it over the crossbar.

In the 35th minute, they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box following Rohit’s tackle on Angel's Frenden Pires. Fulganco stepped forward to take the set-piece and chose to go for glory, only to see it denied by the woodwork.

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Upon crossing over, Sporting continued to dominate but nothing fruitful came off their efforts. On the other hand, the Angels defenders completed a busy shift, guarding their side against any danger. Their coach Riston also used another newly-signed striker Joaquim Abranches in the playing XI in the second half, but the seasoned forward hardly made any impact.

Sporting Clube de Goa only had one opportunity against Guardian Angel in the entire half. Brendon came up with a long cross to Akeraj, who headed it to a well-placed Rohit in the box. However, the midfielder shot over the crossbar. 

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