Skipper Schubert Pereira’s second half strike earns Vasco a point against Churchill Brothers

Franky Oliveiro scored the opener for Vasco, while, Joshuah Vaz scored a brace for the Red Machines.

Vasco Sports Club came from a goal down to hold Churchill Brothers to a high-scoring 2-2 draw in the Goa Professional League match, played at Duler Stadium earlier today.

With today’s draw, the Red Machines has six points from seven matches, whereas, the Port Towners has 16 points from 13 outings.

Churchill were playing for the first time in the year 2018, as their most of the matches were postponed due to I-League commitments, however, in the last match they played was a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Vasco. Whereas, the Port Towners had defeated Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in the previous round match.

Goalkeeper Suresh Lamani, Leny Fernandes and Franky Oliviero were back in the Vasco’s starting XI, while their Guinean midfielder Vasseba Toure was suspended due to double bookings in the last matches. Whereas, Churchill coach Alfred Fernandes had fielded most of the reserve players from the I-League team, except for the defender Suraj Singh.

Vasco started the match on attacking note as they took just a minute to create the first attempt of the match when defender Minesh Kunkolkar went for the glory from the distance but his goalbound shot was pushed for a corner by Churchill keeper Ricardo Cardozo.

A few minutes later, Churchill custodian Ricardo once again came with a brilliant save to stop Vasco skipper Schubert Pereira’s long ranger. Another chance for Vasco went into vain when Flan nicely set up Franky with just keeper to beat but the striker shot wide from close.

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At the half-hour mark, Vasco opened their account through Franky whose over-head kick from close found the net off Anil Gaoncar’s cut-back cross from inside the box.

However, the Port Towners could not hold the lead for a long as Churchill found the equaliser within next eight minutes when Joshuah Vaz’s perfect shot from the top of the box finished in the net making it all square for his side.

Pumped-up by a goal, Churchill took the lead in the 43rd minutes when Joshuah scored his second goal from close after Vasco keeper Suresh Lamani divingly blocked Pankaj Sona’s goalbound header.

Vasco had the best chance to equalise at the start of the second session when Franky released a perfect through pass to Flan in the box but Churchill keeper Ricardo came off his line to clear the danger.

However, in the 70th minutes, keeper Ricardo had no answer to Vasco skipper Schubert’s powerful strike from close after dancing pasting two defenders Vasco levelled the terms.

A few minutes later, Churchill almost took the lead when Alber Gonsalves’ cross was brilliantly headed on the top corner but Vasco defender Myran Pereira came with a goalline clearance to keep his side safe.

Churchill had the best and last chance to restore the lead in the added time when substitute Mannas Sarkar nicely controlled Britto PM’s cross in the box but shot wide with Vasco keeper completely out of position.