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Salgaocar Football Club and ONGC played an insipid goalless draw in a 11th round I-League encounter at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Friday (December 14).
Salgaocar had the lion’s share of the ball possessions and created several chances but poor finishing meant the former champions had nothing to show in the end. Striker Milagres Gonsalves missed at least three gilt-edge chances while captain Rocus Lamare, Quinton Jacobs and Fulgancio Cardozo were also guilty of missing out on easy scoring opportunities.
ONGC, at the bottom of the pool, would be happy with a point as they had only three attempts on goal in the entire match. Striker Eric Brown was at the heart of all attempts on goal.
Salgaocar’s first attempt on goal was a cheeky attempt from Milagres whose chip was tipped over the post by an alert ONGC goalkeeper TP Rehenesh.
Rehenesh was called again into action, this time leaping high to keep away Quinton’s free-kick from just outside the box.
Fulgancio Cardozo then came close but, left all alone inside the danger zone, he failed to tap the ball inside the goal when Rocus Lamare had floated a nice cornerkick into the heart of the ONGC goal.
In the second session, Salgaocar’s saga of missed chances continued. Milagres, again, made a mess when he was put through by substitute Dada Nabeel, while Nabeel himself sent his header wide a few minutes later.
ONGC were content in playing the waiting game and were in no hurry to take the battle to the opposition. Brown and Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa combined well but lacked the necessary firepower upfront.
Towards the closing stages of the match, Milagres and Nabeel went close for the hosts bringing an end to a miserable evening for the former champions.