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The FC Goa Development Team held Salgaocar FC to a goalless draw, their third of the season in the ongoing Goa Professional League (GPL) 2022-23 at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa on Tuesday.
The Boys in Orange are hence in second place on the standings, with 10 points from six matches.
Earlier in the day, FC Goa Dev Team head coach Deggie Cardozo made two changes to the playing XI that started in the draw against Velsao SCC on Monday. Lesly Rebello replaced Aditya Salgaonkar in the defence, while Lalremruata HP made way for Vellington Fernandes in the midfield.
Salgaocar began the clash on a strong note, forcing the Gaurs’ goalkeeper Hrithik Tiwari to make an early diving save to keep the scoresheet on level terms. The Boys in Orange, in turn, slowly clawed their way into the game, and were dominating the proceedings by the 30-minute mark.
By then, they had also created a handful of goal-scoring opportunities. One such situation saw Malsawmtluanga play a defence-splitting pass in search of Jovial Dias on the left, whose shot was, however, blocked by Salgaocar goalkeeper Vishal Kumar.
FC Goa’s biggest chance in the first half came five minutes before half-time, when Deeshank Kunkalikar successfully dribbled past defenders and unleashed a shot from the edge of the opposition box.
His attempt was neatly saved by Vishal, who continued to be on top of his game during the second half as well.
Following the change of ends, the Gaurs doubled their efforts in searching for the breakthrough goal, as they relentlessly troubled the opposition with crosses from both flanks. It was Salgaocar, however, who came closest to taking the lead.
A handball by an FC Goa player in his own box resulted in the referee awarding a penalty to Levino Pereira’s boys. Hrithik Tiwari, though, had other plans as he palmed Samuel Costa’s firm strike away and averted the danger once again for his team.
At the other end, Shanon Viegas’ header from a corner-kick was saved by Vishal in what was slowly becoming a field day for both goalkeepers.
The match eventually ended goalless, with Hrithik Tiwari adjudged ‘Man of the Match’.
FC Goa’s next assignment in the Goa Pro League is a clash against Churchill Brothers on Wednesday, January 25 at the Duler Stadium in Mapusa.
