Vasco Sports Club were lucky to escape with a goalless draw against Ar-Hima in their first match of the Preliminary Phase of the Federation Cup.

Ar-Hima did enjoy territorial advantage but couldn’t finish it off. With this draw they finished their engagements on one point and hence, bowed out of the tournament.

In fact, it was Vasco goalkeeper Agnelo Noronha who forced Ar-Hima to split points. Noronha who had a splendid show under the bar pulled off three blind saves at the Howrah Stadium.

Vasco now take on Kolkata’s Mohammedan Sporting at the Kalyani Stadium to decide the Group A Champions. Sporting who sit pretty on three points had got the better of Ar-Hima by a solitary goal in their first encounter. Vasco stay on one point.

(AIFF Press Release)