FC Goa fire blank against MSP FA

NAGOA: FC Goa failed to start their campaign in the Hero India Elite Youth League on a winning note as they were held to a goalless draw by MSP Football Academy at Nagoa grounds on Sunday.

The young gaurs started the match on a positive note and had a chance to forge ahead in the 10th minute when defender Delzan Passanha smartly fed striker Joybert Almeida on the right flank, but the last named after getting the possession of the ball shot it wide from the top of the 18-yard box.

FC Goa thereafter almost dominated the proceedings with lot of ball possession, but they could not do much to score as the MSP Football Academy stayed resolute in their positions to quell all the forays made by the hosts.

As the proceedings wore on, two more chances fell to FC Goa striker Joybert in the 30th and 44th minute, but he simply could not find the mark.

It was Sweden Fernandes who sent a defence-splitting pass at the half-hour mark to Joybert who just lost the ball to the rival defenders, and then two minutes later medio Precio D’Souza floated a flag kick where Joybert stood, but the striker ended up in shooting the ball against a rival defender from the 6 yard box.

As the first half was about to end, Joybert had a glorious chance to put FC Goa in the lead but the striker in a one-to-one situation with the rival keeper Christurajant T saw his angular shot being tipped away and as the ball sailed off, it hit the post and came back.

MSP Football Academy had only one great chance in the first session which fell to them in the 36th minute but their medio who came in possession of the ball following a great pass from Mohammad Ajmal delayed it for too long and in the process lost the ball from very close to the FC Goa goal.

MSP Football Academy who were seen defending well in the first half, played a much improved game in the second session and matched their  rivals well in every department.

The midfield of both the teams failed to impress in this session and there were hardly any worthwhile moves which the strikers on either side could cash in on.

Both the teams looked to slog it out to get the result and though the teams had some stray opportunities, no goals came forth and the match ended in a goalless draw.