GPL 2019-20: Sporting Goa draw, Calangute Association draw blanks

Both teams failed to find the net on Monday evening.

Sporting Goa and Calangute Association played out a goalless draw in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Monday.

Sporting Goa-Calangute Association both made changes to their respective teams.  Sporting Goa coach Francisco Vaz made three changes to his side which drew with Salgaocar FC in the last match. Forward Marcus Mascarenhas was back in the lineup, while he also gave a start to their U-20 players Delton Colaco and Shanon Viegas in the starting XI. Whereas, Calangute Association tactician Sevirino Fernandes made no changes to his side following a goalless draw against Sesa FA in the last match.

Marcus’ comeback in the lineup was clearly felt on the pitch, as he made several attempts. First, his strike from the top of the box went wide. A few minutes later, he once again came up with a powerful strike from inside the box, but this time Calangute keeper Sanij Bugde blocked it for a corner.

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Sporting had another opportunity in the 15th minute. George D’Souza tried to find his teammate Philip Odogwu in the box, but Calangute defender Krishnanath Shirodkar cleared the danger.

Calangute also had two chances to take the lead in the next 10 minutes. First, Denson Fernandes saw his shot from inside deflect off Sporting defender Alton Vaz before going out for a corner. A few minutes later, Siddhant Shirodkar, after getting hold off a long ball from Gaurav Vaigankar, shot over the crossbar from inside the box.

On the half hour mark, Calangute midfielder Gaurav Kankonkar brilliantly snatched the ball from Delton and went for glory from the edge of the box, but his goalbound strike was brilliantly fisted over the crossbar by Sporting keeper Melroy Fernandes.

Another opportunity went in vain for the Beachside in the 38th minute. Daryl Costa produced a lobbed pass to Denson in the box, who in turn set up the onrushing Alesh Sawant just outside the box. But, his shot hit a Sporting defender before going out for a corner.

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After some midfield play in the first quarter of the second half, Sporting came close to scoring in the 64th minute. Girish Naik sent a perfect through pass to Marcus in the box, but his goalbound strike hit Calangute defender Joaquim Carvalho before going out for a corner.

Sporting had a golden opportunity to take the lead in the 75th minute. George made a cross to Philip in the box, whose header was handled by a Calangute defender. Referee Sunil Nanodkar quickly pointed towards the penalty spot, but Sporting skipper Marcus failed to put his side ahead from the spot as Calangute keeper Sanij stretched to his limit to deny the forward. The loose ball was again shot on the target by Marcus, but the Calangute custodian once again denied Sporting skipper.

At the other end, Calangute came close to scoring in the 81st minute. Alesh sent a through pass to substitute Chandan Govenkar, but his shot was brilliantly pushed for a corner by Sporting keeper Melroy.

Click here for the Goa Pro League 2019-20 points table after this match.