Goa Pro League: FC Goa share spoils with Sporting Goa

Both the sides dropped important points in the titles race.

Clive Miranda’s missed penalty helped FC Goa to share the points with Sporting Clube de Goa, as they played out a goalless draw in the Goa Pro League at Duler Stadium on Thursday.

FC Goa had two changes to their side which defeated YC Manora by a solitary goal in the last match. Brison Fernandes and Brian Faria were back in the starting XI. Whereas, Clive Miranda and Myron Fernandes were brought back into the lineup by Sporting coach Francisco Savio Vaz, following their a 1-1 draw against Salgaocar FC in the previous round match.

After midfield play in the first few minutes, it was the Junior Gaurs who came close to scoring in the 13th minute. Winger Vasim Inamdar tried to find Kapil Hoble in the box, but Sporting keeper Ozen Silva came off his line to deny Hoble in a one-on-one. Sporting replied within the next two minutes, as Myron found Philip Odogwu from a long throw-in. Their Nigerian forward flicked it to well-positioned Dattaraj Gaonkar. However, the forward could not keep his shot on target, as the ball missed the target by a few inches.

The Flaming Orange had another great opportunity in the 34th minute. Joel Colaco nicely curled the ball to Rohit Totad who headed it to Philip in front of goal. But, the Nigerian forward fouled rival keeper Dylan Da Silva before slotting the ball into the net, as referee David Rebello disallowed the goal and gave a freekick to FC Goa. Goa also had the best chance to surge ahead just before half-time. Christy Davis found unmarked Serineo Fernandes in the box, but the lad’s shot found the side-netting.   

Like in the first half, the Junior Gaurs were the first to create a chance in the second. Substitute midfielder Delton Colaco setup Christy with just the keeper to beat, but Sporting defender Kunal Kundaikar made a timely clearance to keep his side safe.

At the other end, Sporting came up with a swift attack in the 65th minute. Rohit tried to find Marcus Mascarenhas with a low curling cross, but FC Goa defender Brian cleared the ball for a corner. They had another opportunity in the 74th minute. Substitute Sachidanand Satelkar curled the ball to Marcus in front of goal, but the experienced forward saw his header sail over the crossbar.

FC Goa’s Delton came up with another defence-splitting through pass to substitute Velroy Fernandes, but the midfielder could not connect from inside the box with just rival keeper Ozen to beat.

Whereas, Sporting had a golden opportunity to seal the match in added-time when their forward Marcus was brought down by FC Goa defender Lesly Rebello in the box to gift away a penalty. But, Sporting’s Clive could not beat Goa’s keeper Dylan from the spot, as the custodian dived to his left to block the spot-kick. 

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