Sporting, Salgaocar share spoils

The much-hyped encounter between current I-League toppers Salgaocar FC and the Pro-League toppers Sporting Clube de Goa ended in an anti-climax as both the teams played out a 1-1 draw in the Airtel Super League match at Duler stadium here 

on Tuesday.

Sporting broke the deadlock in the 21st minute through Jovel Martins but the Frenchman Claude Gnakpa rescued his side as he found the net with 15 minutes left for the final whistle.

Sporting stay safely perched atop the standings with 26 points while Salgaocar remain 4th with 18 points as both teams shared the spoils.

The Flaming Oranje made a fiery start to the game and dominated their opponents in every department.

Sporting’s first decent attempt came in the 18th minute when Jovel Martins cross from the left flank somehow evaded the Salgaocar defenders and found its way to Sporting’s top goal-scorer Boima Karpeh but the striker uncharacteristically ballooned over the crossbar from just outside the 6-yard box.

The breakthrough for Sporting came barely two minutes later. The attack started when Jevan Naige gave away possession cheaply in midfield and just when Salgaocar thought they were out of danger Martins stole the ball off Rosario Mendes on the edge of the box and fired a low drive past the keeper into the bottom corner.

The green brigade were unable to find their rhythm or retain ball possession and the introduction of Gilbert Oliveira and Clifton Dias by coach Derrick Pereira brought some experience and composure in midfield.

The remainder of the half was uneventful following the goal. The green brigade were completely outclassed and outplayed by the 

Flaming Oranje.

Sporting coach Oscar Burzon would have had mixed feelings as his men dominated but took a slender 1-0 lead as they went into the lemon break.

The second half witnessed a much better contest as Salgaocar pressed hard and vied for every ball. The green brigade were awarded for their second half display as they found the much deserved equaliser in the 75th minute. Gilbert, who was at the heart of every attack, saw his freekick comeback off the post and the opportunistic Claude Gnakpa somehow scrambled the ball past the goalline.

Sporting had only themselves to blame as their complacency cost them yet again and the look of disappointment was evident on their faces but they picked their socks up and mounted several attacks but Salgaocar’s backline did well to keep them at bay.

Salgaocar almost had the last laugh when Spanish Gonzalo Neila inadvertently headed Milagres Gonsalves’ cross to Gilbert but Ravi Kumar bailed his colleague as he produced a brave save to earn his side 

a point.

Pratesh Shirodkar was adjudged the man-of-the-match while Jovel Martins collected the award for scoring goal of the match.

[Press Release]