By I-League Media

GOA: The first Goa derby of the ongoing Hero I-League finished at 1-1 at the Fatorda Stadium today. Darryl Duffy’s first half strike was cancelled out by Marcus Mascarenhas’ 77th-minute goal and the scoreline remained same till the final whistle.

Mateus Costa made just the one change for the Flaming Oranje after their emphatic victory against Bengaluru FC in their previous game, as Subhashish Bose came into the side for Dharmaraj Ravanan, who is suspended following his red card at Sree Kanteerava Stadium the other day.

Martin Scott was handed his Hero I-League debut by Santosh Kashyap after his return from injury as Nicolau Colaco and Gilbert Oliviera made their entry into the starting XI as well. Keenan Almeida, Oliviera and Rocus Lamare made their way out. The game began with Sporting Clube de Goa largely dictating terms despite Salgaocar looking to close them down and wreck havoc.

The midfield duo of Denson Devadas and Densil Theobald looked promising in the middle and created space for their teammates with their intelligent movement and spectacular vision. The first chance of the game went Sporting Clube de Goa’s way through Odafa Okolie in the 8th minute. His misfired shot went off target as he swiveled back in after getting the ball from Joseph Clemente. Odafa’s next chance came in the 19th minute but the Nigerian could not power much on his header, Karanjit came out to stop the attempt.

Darryl Duffy scored in a couple of minutes against the run of play when a Jackichand Singh corner found Augustin Fernandes on the edge of the box who looped it towards the forward on the goal line and eventually the Scottish striker nicked it in.

It remained at 1-0 at the halftime.

The second half started with Salgaocar in the driving seat. Jackichand Singh manufactured another and set up another in the 64th minute but none of them culminated into the second goal.

Marcus Mascarenhas saved Sporting from losing three points as he buried a loose ball from close range in the 77th minute. Odafa fired it towards the net which rattled the bar, on the rebound Marcus slotted it home, Karanjit had little to do as he was completely off his position.

The derby had its share of tackles in the game but there was just one yellow card issued throughout which went to Seityasen Singh in the 64th minute.

At the end of the 90 and added time, it remained 1-1 at the all important Goa derby. Karanjit Singh, the Salgaocar FC skipper, was adjudged the Hero of the Match for his stupendous performance under the woodwork.