THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Round-up: Goa Professional League & GFA Second Division League

Panjim Footballers came from behind to hold Dempo Sports Club to a 2-2 draw in a Goa Professional League game. (Photo courtesy: Goa Football Association)

Goa Professional League: Panjim Footballers hold Dempo Sports Club

Duler: Panjim Footballers came from behind to hold Dempo Sports Club to a 2-2 draw in a Goa Professional League game organized by Goa Football Association (GFA) played at Duler Stadium here on Thursday.

Fady Riad’s goal gave the Panjim side a lead while Joaquim Abranches scored two past the Panjim team. A late equalizer from Alphonse Himoa Shako forced Dempo SC to share the points.

Panjim Footballers looked dangerous in the start with some moves down the flanks but it was the Dempo side that created potent chances in the initial minutes.

Dempo SC were the first to look at goal as they creat ed the best attempt to shoot into the lead in the 20th minute. Joaquim Abranches crossed the ball to Latesh Mandrekar but the later failed to reach in time for the ball which other wise should have been the opening goal of the evening.

While five minutes later, Panjim side came close to scoring as Akeraj Martins placed in a through ball to Clifton Fernandes who shot wide.

The Dempo side enjoyed better ball possession but failed to get the finishing right. In the 41st minute, Akeraj passed the ball forward to their foreign striker Fady Riad who was lucky not to find himself in an offside position. Fady, with just the keeper to beat shot low on target which was easily sent off for a corner by the Dempo custodian Agnelo Gomes.

But Fady made up for the missed attempt five minutes later as he managed to win the ball from Dempo’s defender Shallum Pires and covered some ground and placed his fine strike towards the out coming keeper which landed swiftly into the nylons as the Panjim side took a 1-0 lead.

But their joy was short lived as the Golden Eagles were awarded a penalty in the additional time of the first session after Joaquim’s shot hit Clive Miranda’s hand and Joaquim made it all square before half time.

Post resumption, Panjim Footballers came out strong and created a series of potent attempts post the hour mark. First Akeraj Martin’s shot from close off Riad’s pass went inches away from the woodwork. While later the striker ran into the box from the right side but his powerful shot was kept at bay by the Dempo keeper.

But it was the Dempo team that came out strong from the series of attacks and shot into the lead. This time, substitute Suraj Hadkonkar lobbed the ball into the box which was softly headed in by an unmarked Joaquim Abranches who netted his second goal of the game in the 69th minute.

Post this, the Dempo side controlled the ball and kept moving forward but the Panjim side looked strong for a comeback. Dempo SC came close to netting their third through Joaquim but he missed his shot in the 88th minute.
The capital side earned a free kick from the edge of the box in the final additional time (90+3) and Fady Riad took stand to try for one last time and he was successful as he’s shot hit the woodwork which on rebounding was neatly placed in by Alphonse Himoa Shako from close range as Panjim Footballers held the second place contenders to a 2-2 draw.

GFA Second Division League: USC Mardol, CDJ Ribandar share points

Agassaim: United Sports Club Mardol and CDJ Ribandar played out a 2-2 draw, in the Goa Football Associations Second Division League match played at Agassaim ground, on Thursday.

CDJ Ribandar started the match on an attacking note and tried to surge ahead from the word go as they constantly threatened the rival defence; however it was only in the 38 th minute that the Mardol side were able to break the deadlock as Joel Baretto sent in an astonishing strike past the rival keeper to make it 1-0.

The in-form striker Joel, soon inflated the lead before the half-time whistle giving his side a two-goal cushion.
Post resumption, the Ribandar side filled with vigour started attacking in order to sight the goal however USC Mardol went back to defend their citadel. It took a while but the Mardol side got themselves into the game through Abijeet Naik’s 52 nd minute strike.

CDJ Ribandar continuously tried to make it all square but had to wait until the last minute to snatch a point from their counterparts. It was Chetan Zalmi who turned out to be the savior for the Ribandar side as he netted the equalizer in the injury time (90+5’).

Fixtures

Geno First Division League
YC Manora v. Velsao SCC, at Ambelim ground, at 4 pm
Sesa FC v. Holy Cross SC, at Sirsaim ground, at 4 pm

GFA Second Division League
Nauxim SC v. Odxel SC, at Agassaim ground, at 4 pm

GFA U-16 League
Dempo SC v. Eagles SC, at Ella ground, at 4 pm

(Goa Football Association)