Panjim share the spoils with FC Goa in GPL

FC Goa Media

The ISL Development side dropped for second time in a row.

The FC Goa Development Team were held by Panjim Footballers to a goalless draw, their second of the season in the ongoing Goa Professional League (GPL) 2022-23 at the Nagoa Panchayat Ground on Friday.

Earlier in the day, FC Goa Dev Team head coach Deggie Cardozo made three changes to the playing XI that started in the draw against Velsao SCC on Monday. Mallikjan Kalegar replaced Lesly Rebello in the defence, while Muhammed Nemil and Velroy Fernandes made way for Vasim Inamdar and Rayan Menezes respectively.

The Boys in Orange started the match on a strong note, coming close to scoring soon after kick-off. Rayan Roger Menezes’ long pass from the middle of the pitch was, however, intercepted in the opposition box.

The match soon evolved into a physical affair with both teams not hesitating to put in strong challenges. Eventually, the Gaurs ended the first half as the better team, having created a handful of goal-scoring chances that tested their opponents’ defence.

Following the change of ends, Cardozo’s boys intensified their efforts to find the breakthrough. Their best chance came in the 70th minute, when substitute Vellington Fernandes played a wonderful ball over Panjim’s defenders to find Delton Colaco, who in turn chested it and advanced into the box.

The youngster’s attempt to side-step the goalkeeper and fire into an empty net went haywire, though, as he took a heavy touch of the ball that sent it rolling out of play.

FC Goa could then have sealed the win during stoppage time, had Velroy Fernandes not missed the target with his shot from outside the box.

Friday’s draw has resulted in the young Gaurs also extending their unbeaten run in the Goa Pro League to five matches. Up next for them in the league is a clash against Salgaocar FC on Tuesday, January 17