Goan FC leave it late to hold Calangute Association

Team Herald

MAPUSA: Goan Football Club held Calangute Association to an entertaining 1-1 draw, in the Goa Professional League match organised by Goa Football Association, played at Duler stadium, on Tuesday. 

Goan Football Club started without Leander D’Cunha and Liston Colaco where Hayden Fernandes and Enestar Malngiang replaced them in the starting XI. Meanwhile, Calangute Association  coach Alvarez made three changes to his side which drew against Vasco SC in the last match as Aniket Mandrekar, Leslee Britto and Marc D’Cruz found their names in the playing XI.

Though Goan Football Club were the dominant side in the first session they failed to create any potent attempt on the goal, keeping opponent custodian Jason D’Mello unused in the entire session except for the early chance in the 2nd minute where Saviour Gama curled the ball to Aaren D’Silva in the box but the striker failed to connect from the close. 

Whereas Calangute Association had a chance to take the lead when substitute Omkar More found Josley Dias at the top of the box with a short pass but the forward failed to control his shot as the ball went wide. Before this, injured Aniket was replaced by More in the 27th minute. 

In the 40th minute of the match, Bonny Niasso’s cross hit Goan defender Lalmunsiama hand in the box but surprisingly referee Jose Dias let it go frustrating all the Calangute Association players and their supporters who were in the large numbers.

However, the Beachside took just three more minutes to bring their supporters on their feet to celebrate a goal as More made an individual effort and tried his luck from the edge of the box, which finished in the net making it 1-0 for Calangute Association . 

Unlike in the first half, Calangute Association were first to create the chance when Leslee and Myron Fernandes jelled up well with a one-to-one passing and released the ball to More but Goan custodian Iprotip Das cleared the danger before striker could reach to it.

Goan  were unable to penetrate the Calangute defence as they threw on Brian Faria, Veegan Ferrao and Sarineo Fernandes for Enestar, Yasir and Jason.

Goan Football Club had a golden opportunity to score the equaliser in the 70th minute when Arren found Jason Barbosa unmarked but the midfielder headed wide from handshaking distance with every opponent beaten. 

Meanwhile, Omkar also had the chance to double their lead as he made a darting run cutting past few defenders but saw his goalbound shot kissed off keeper’s gloves before going out for a corner.

When it was looking like the Beachside will take all three points home, there was however, a late twist in the tale. Referee Jose awarded a penalty kick to Goan Football Club  in the added time as Calangute’s Bersal Viegas unintentionally handled the ball in the box where substitute Veegan stepped forward and sent keeper Jason the wrong way to rescue a point for his side.