NT NETWORK
FATORDA
Despite playing attacking game, both Salgaocar Football Club and Goan Football Club failed to break the deadlock and shared spoils in the GFA’s Under-18 League match played at artificial turf grounds in Fatorda-Margao on Saturday.
If the first half belonged to Salgaocar FC which had better ball possession and exhibited some nice passes, the second half was dominated by Goan FC as it too displayed consistent ball possession, though the Green Brigade too produced some moves that could have fetched it the goals.
Salgaocar made the first serious move after it forced a flag kick which speedy medio Chaitan Komarpant smartly floated to defender Ronaldo Pereira whose header missed the mark as the ball zoomed over the bar.
Soon thereafter, Chaitan Komarpant, who posed serious threats to the Goan FC defence time and often, moved deep inside the box and unleashed a good shot which the confident looking Goan FC keeper Mohammad Nawaz saved brilliantly.
Oozing with flair and energy, Salgaocar FC created several chances but the Goan FC defence somehow managed to clear the ball to safety.
Goan FC, who appeared to be strong in the defence, kept a hawk’s eye on Chaitan Komarpant and pinned him down before he could find space to shoot in.
Goan FC defenders – Ryan Menezes, Lesley Rebello, Edward Souza and Brison Fernandes were kept busy for most part of the first session as Salgacoar FC came charging at it.
The second session saw Goan FC regrouping well as it improved its game by a few notches and slowly began to have an upper hand.
Attacking medio Sweden, who initiated moves for Goan FC, seemed to be a danger man as he sent two rasping drives which were brilliantly saved by Salgaocar keeper Alison Soares as he first dived to his right and on the other count flied to his left to parry the ball to safety from close distances.
Salgaocar FC once again found its rhythm with Aaron Barreto displaying attacking moves as he unleashed a shot off a neat pass from Chaitan but the Goan FC keeper Mohammad came up with a great save.
The match then began to be played almost on level terms with both teams trying to find a goal but in vain as the defence of both the teams displayed great courage and conviction to kill all the moves that were made to find the mark at either end.