I-League 2015/16 – Salgaocar's win-less run continues as Sporting snatch a draw in Goa Derby

I-League 2015/16 – Salgaocar's win-less run continues as Sporting snatch a draw in Goa Derby

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Image Courtesy: © Facebook - Sporting Clube de Goa

Darryl Duffy's goal in the first half was canceled out by Marcus Mascarenhas in the second, as bottom dwellers Salgaocar and Sporting Clube de Goa settled for a draw at the Fatorda Stadium. The result helped neither of the team's cause, especially Salgaocar, who have now failed to win in their six matches.

The home team started the match brightly and put the Salgaocar defence under a lot of pressure. Their best chance of the match arrived in the 19th minute, when Odafe Okolie headed the ball into the ground, which made the Salgaocar goalkeeper's task easier, after a delightful cross was floated into the box from the left wing by Nicholas Fernandes.

At the other end, Gilbert Oliveira tested Sporting goalkeeper Arindam Bhattacharya with a long range effort, only for Arindam's fingertips to keep it out.

Sporting dominated the possession, but failed to break through a disciplined Salgaocar defence.

Salgaocar took the lead, against the run of play, in the 27th minute from a corner. Jackichand Singh's corner was headed towards the near post by Salgaocar defender Gurjinder Kumar, and Darryl Duffy provided the finishing touch with a header in front of the goal.

Salgaocar played mostly on the counter attacks, but despite having lesser possession, they looked the more likelier of both the teams to score. The visitors were also using the wings to their advantage, and were peppering Sporting's penalty box with crosses at every opportunity.

In the 43rd minute, they came close to doubling their lead, but a fine double save by Arindam Bhattacharya kept them at bay. Salgaocar earned a free kick at the edge of the box, and Darryl Duffy cleverly hit his shot under the wall, and Arindam had to get low to his left to keep it from crossing the line.

The rebound fell for Jackichand in the six-yard box, but his effort was brilliantly kept out by Arindam's feet.

In the second half, Sporting pushed forward in numbers to grab the equalizer, and eventually it arrived in the 76th minute. Substitute Marcus Mascarenhas, who had looked lively since coming on in the 62nd minute, picked out Odafa at the edge of the box, whose powerful shot struck the woodwork. The ball rebounded off the post and it fell kindly for Marcus, who blasted it into an empty net.

With this draw, Sporting have now failed to win any of their three home matches so far, and Mateus Costa will have a lot of work to do with his team, ahead of their match against an in-form Mumbai FC side in their next game.

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