TUFF LAXMI PRASAD HOLD SALGAOCAR Defending champions Salgaocar Football Club dropped two crucial points, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tuff Laxmi Prasad in the 7th round match of the Airtel Goa Pro-League, played at Duler grounds on Thursday. Salgaocar now have 14 points and trail table toppers Churchill Brothers by 3 points. Laxmi Prasad and Dempo are level with 11 points each. Salgaocar coach Derrick Pereira played Scottish striker Darryl Duffy upfront and partnered him with their French acquisition Claude Gnakpa, who made his debut on Thursday. Laxmi Prasad’s Nigerian import Godwin Uvieghara retained his spot in defence partnering with Visvino Miranda in the central defence. Laxmi Prasad’s medio Freiman Peixoto fired an early warning shot from distance at the Salgaocar goal but the ball rolled just ayard past the goal post. At the other end, it was debutant Claude Gnakpa who justified his inclusion in the starting eleven when he powered in a header from Gilbert Oliveira’s corner kick putting his side into lead, 1-0. Tuff Laxmi almost came up with an immediate reply, as Medio Steven Fernandes played in a pass to Avelino Fernandes but he fired his effort wide of the target. Laxmi Prasad earned a penalty in the 33rd minute, when Nicolao Colaco came with a clumsy tackle on Remus Gomes inside the danger zone prompting referee Melwin D’Costa to point to the dreaded spot. Steven Fernandes stepped forward to take the spot kick but he shot wide of the post much to the disbelief and frustration of their supporters. Laxmi Prasad should have gone into the breather on level terms but they once again missed a golden opportunity to net the equaliser. Alvito Miranda wasthe culprit this time as he failed to guide his header into an empty net after Salgaocar keeper Albino Gomes failed to collect a cross from Avelino Fernandes. The second half saw the Mapusa based side have a lion’s share of ball possession but their strikers squandered all the moves created by the midfield. However, in the 50th minute, Laxmi Prasad did have a half chance when Avelino’s shot from distance deflected off Alvito but the ball rolled agonisingly wide of the goal. Seven minutes later Scotsman Darryl Duffy had a brilliant opportunity to double Salgaocar’s lead. Rosario Mendes sent in a dangerous cross and Duffy managed to beat the offside trap but he fired his effort straight into the hands of keeper Reagan Juliao. Spurred on by their supporters Laxmi Prasad went on an all out attack in search of the equaliser while Salgaocar decided to sit back and defend their slender lead. Laxmi Prasad’s search for the equaliser finally ended in the 90th minute. Reagan Pereira, who came in as a substitute for Nerry Afonso, created space for himself and unleashed a thunderbolt from 30 yards which deceived keeper Albino Gomes and hit the back of the net sending the supporters into ruptures.
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 04:06:37 +0000
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