Goa Pro League: Sesa hold FC Goa, avoid relegation from top flight

the ISL development side wasted an opportunity to climb to the third position.

Sesa Football Academy managed to avoid relegation as they held FC Goa to a high-scoring 2-2 draw in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Sunday.

Sesa’s Shajam P gave the lead to his side in the 14th minute, while Christy Davis cancelled it in the 40th minute with a neat goal from the spot-kick. Whereas, Kapil Hobble scored in the 75th minute to take the Gaurs into the lead for the first time in the match, while Sesa substitute Cajetan scored in the added minutes to ensure his side a point from the difficult match. 

Sesa coach Charles Dias made two changes to his side which defeated Panjim Footballers in the last match. Shridharnath Gawas and Myron Borges made the cut. Meanwhile, Deeshank Kunkalikar, Vasim Inamdar and Lesly Rebello were the three changes in the FC Goa lineup which suffered a defeat against Vasco SC in the previous match.

It was drab football in the first few minutes from both sides. But, the Academy Boys surprised the ISL development side in the 14th minute. A perfect through pass from Myron Borges setup Shajam P in the box. His powerful left-footer gave no chance to FC Goa keeper Hrithik Tiwari, making it 1-0 for Sesa.

FC Goa took more than 14 minutes to come up with a potent attack. Defender Deeshank Kunkalkar nicely curled the ball into the box. Sesa keeper Ronal Gaunkar left his place to intercept the cross but the ball landed to FC Goa’s Delton Colaco. His sparkling half-volley was brilliantly blocked by Sesa custodian at the cost of a corner.

Sesa came close to doubling their lead in the 35th minute. Rizbon Fernandes setup Sameer Kashyap on the edge of the box, but the lad failed to keep his strike on target.

FC Goa finally managed to level back from the spot-kick in the 40th minute. Sesa’s defender handled the ball inside the box to give away the penalty to the opponents. FCG’s Christy Davis came forward and sent the rival keeper Roanal the wrong way to make it 1-1.

The start of the second half once again witnessed a drab football. It took 25 minutes for the Academy Boys to create a chance. Kapil Hoble lost possession in a dangerous area. Sesa’s Shajam pounced on the loose ball and chose to go for glory from distance, only to see his weak shot easily collected by FCG keeper Hrithik.

At the other end, FC Goa took the lead in the 75th minute. A fine cross from Brison Fernandes was brilliantly headed towards goal by Ivon Costa, but Sesa defender Myran Pereira cleared it off the line. However, unmarked Kapil slotted the ball home to put his side ahead.

The Academy Boys refused to give up and tried hard to find the equalizer. They finally got a chance to make it all square in the added minutes. FCG’s Kapil brought down Sesa’s Faheez Mohammed inside the box to gift away a spot-kick to the opponents. However, Sesa substitute Cajetan Fernandes saw his spot-kick blocked by FC Goa keeper Hrithik. However, he couldn’t clear the danger completely, as the loose ball was easily sent into the net by Cajetan to make it 2-2. 

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