Sporting Clube hold Salgaocar

Sporting Clube de Goa came from behind to hold Salgaocar to a 1-1 draw in a fourth round match of the ONGC I-League football tournament at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Monday.

Salgaocar, who held territorial advantage in a barren first half, scored through Milagres Gonsalves in the 49th minute.

Sporting Clube de Goa, who put up a better show in the second half, restored parity in the 65th minute through Elijah Obagbemiro.

Both the Goa outfits have two points each after the draw from four matches.

Salgaocar's medio Rocus Lamare, who controlled the midfield, was declared man of the match.

Salgaocar, struggling to find form, played an attacking game from the start with their midfield and upfront combining well and creating scoring chances but failed to translate them into goals in the first half.

Their best chance came in the ninth minute, but Francis Fernandes, who was unmarked inside the box, failed to direct his header on target following a Felix Chimak cross from the right.

Sporting, who struggled to find their rhythm, had their best chance to score in injury time of the  first half but Joseph Pereira, who was fed by Elijah Obagbemiro inside the box, failed to beat 'keeper Markus Basumatari, shooting straight at him.

Salgaocar continued to hold territorial advantage after the change of ends and took the lead in the 49th minute. Felix Chimaokwu sent a cross from the right flank to Gonsalves, who beat 'keeper Felix D'Souza with a deft placement.

Salgaocar's defence left a lot of space while attacking, and Sporting striker Elijah Bagbemiro, who was left open, punished them when he hit the ball into the net off a cross from Denzil France in the 65th minute to earn the equalizer for his team.

The goal boosted Sporting and they with more vigour and nearly took the lead five minutes later when Lushola Gundare dogged past a couple of rival defenders but saw his shot missing the target narrowly.