Duler, October 9: Sporting Clube de Goa remained unbeaten in their fourth GPL match of the season, playing out a 0-0 draw against Geno FC at Duler Stadium on Thursday. The home side created several promising chances but were unable to find a breakthrough, marking their second goalless result after the season opener against Sesa Football Academy.
New signing Prince Figueiredo came close in the 38th minute when his shot deflected off midfielder Naocha Singh, setting up a chance for Doyal Alves, but the effort went wide. Geno FC threatened in the second half, with captain Lenstan Afonso seeing a guided strike comfortably saved by goalkeeper Abhimanyu Gupta. The 73rd minute saw Akeraj Martins of Geno FC shown a yellow card for a foul on defender Joel Colaco.
Sporting kept up the pressure late in the match, launching a slick attacking move in the 80th minute. Mark Carvalho played a forward pass to Doyal Alves, who drove the ball upfield. Quick one-two exchanges between Ivon Costa and Samuel Costa pushed the play closer to Geno’s goal, before captain Kunal Kundaikar fired a shot that narrowly went wide. Two minutes later, Niraj Parekh delivered a cross that narrowly missed Doyal Alves at the near post, leaving the scoreline unchanged.
The home side dominated play early and tested Geno’s defense repeatedly, demonstrating their attacking intent ahead of the next clash with Goa Police SC at Duler Stadium on October 15 at 3:45 PM.
Liston Cardozo of Geno FC was awarded Player of the Match by Allan D’Cruz, CEO of Sporting Clube de Goa and member of the Goa Football Association’s Executive Committee.
