Friday , March 29 2024

FC Goa Dev Team held to 1-1 draw by Churchill Brothers!

FC Goa were held to a 1-1 draw by Churchill Brothers SC at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa in the Goa Professional League. Despite an onslaught on the Churchill Brothers goal through the course of the 90 minutes of play, Deggie Cardozo’s boys had to settle for a share of the spoils.

The first half started with a bang for FC Goa as they rushed into an early lead thanks to a brilliant finish from Sarineo Fernandes inside the first ten minutes. The ball was played in by Ivon Costa from midfield, and it was Sarineo on the charge from the left who controlled it and calmly slotted it past Debnath Mondal in the Churchill Brothers goal.

The young Gaurs controlled much of the first half thereafter, with Sarineo looking among the most dangerous attacking threats. A free-kick from his boots threatened to double the lead in the 35th minute of the game, but much to his dismay, it went inches over the bar.

Despite the first-half dominance, Churchill Brothers managed to equalise just before the half-time break, as a mistake at the back allowed Afdal Varikkodan to steal the ball inside the Gaur’s penalty box and slot the ball into the net to make it 1-1.

That meant it was all to play for in the second period. The game restarted with a bang as a poor challenge from Rajender Singh of Churchill Brothers on Vasim Inamdar saw him sent off for a second yellow card, with the referee in no doubt about the severity of the tackle.

The ten men of Churchill Brothers were then opened up at the back and conceded a string of chances. It started with a mistake from goalkeeper Mondal that nearly saw Joybert Almeida head home for his second in as many starts. The forward though saw his header cleared off the line.

Substitute Romeo Fernandes soon lashed one shot over the bar while Vasim missed a golden opportunity moments later after a terrific cross from Sarineo Fernandes to put the Gaurs in the lead.

Mondal had to be at his flying best with just over ten minutes to go as he saved an effort from Velroy Fernandes, keeping his side just about in the game.

Unfortunately for the Gaurs, their continued efforts to find a winner turned out to be in vain as Churchill Brothers held on for a draw when all was said and done.

The season’s first draw for FC Goa sees them move to 13 points in the GPL table from their 7 games, still three points behind league leaders Salgaocar FC who have a game in hand. Churchill Brothers meanwhile remained seventh on the table with 10 points from their 8 games.

FC Goa will now be back in action in the Goa Pro League on Thursday, March 25 to take on Sporting Clube de Goa. That game is slated for a 3:45 pm kickoff at the Duler Stadium.

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