Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Alister Fernandes’ 79th minute goal enabled Cortalim Villagers Social Welfare Sports Club to hold unbeaten Clube de Salgaocar to a 1-1 draw, in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Tuesday.
Both the goals came in the second session of play with Clube de Salgaocar’s Pratesh Shirodkar putting his team ahead in the 60th minute with a fine header, only to find Cortalim Villagers level terms in the 79th minute also from Alister Fernandes’ header, 1-1.
After Tuesday’s match, Clube de Salgaocar have eight points, while Cortalim Villagers have seven points both from four matches.
Cortalim Villagers should have taken the lead in the very 5th minute of play where a deadly cross by U-21 Shario Gomes from the right flank at the far post to U-21 Michael Dias saw the latter shoot skywards to the dismay of his teammates.
Ten minutes later, Clube de Salgaocar’s Pratesh saw his 30-yard free-kick being paired to safety by Cortalim Villagers goalkeeper Abhijeet Subba.
Match was then restricted to the midfield which came to life only in the stoppage time of the first session, where Royal Oliveira sent a pinpoint cross to well positioned substitute Isac Zomuanpuia, whose brilliant header was superbly fisted for a corner by Cortalim Villagers custodian Abhijeet.
On crossing ends, Cortalim Villagers saw Jason Vaz and Preston Fernandes strikes being saved by Clube de Salgaocar’s goalkeeper Sanij Bugde.
Clube de Salgaocar’s Isac once again came close in opening his team’s account in the 55th minute but a 25-yard stiff grounder came back from the far goal post.
Finally, in the 60th minute, Mevzen Oliveira sent a long ball to his skipper Pratesh inside the 6-yard box, who nodded the ball into the goal 1-0. Two minutes later, Cortalim Villagers should have levelled terms but a 25-yard stiff grounder by Shario Gomes was blocked by Clube de Salgaocar’s custodian for a corner.
Cortalim Villagers continued to exert pressure on the rival citadel where finally in the 79th minute U-21 Sydney Lucas curled his corner to his teammate Alister Fernandes, who rose high above the rival defenders and nod the ball into the goal, 1-1.