MARGAO: Salgaocar FC’s title hopes ended when they were held to a 3-3 draw by Sporting Clube de Goa in an exciting 24th round match in the I-League at Nehru Stadium here on Tuesday.
Salgaocar, looking to keep themselves in the title hunt, started well and were 2-0 up at the start of the match with Darryl Duffy (third minute) and Dudu Omagbemi (11th) finding the net.
But the Flaming Oranje did not lose heart and restored parity before half time through Kalu Ogba (20th) and Boima Karpeh (41st) and later took the lead after the interval through Rowlin Borges (73rd).
They were then looking to hold on for the win before substitute Bikash Jairu blasted a left-footed volley to allow Salgaocar to level the scores again.
The draw takes Salgaocar’s tally to 38 points from 23 matches and they are consequently out of the reckoning for the title.
Bengaluru FC are leading the table with 41 points from 22 matches and the toppers now only face the challenge for the crown from East Bengal, who have 37 points from 21 matches.
Salgaocar took an early lead from a penalty kick after Duffy was tripped from behind by Sporting’s Rogen Singh in the box. Duffy took the kick and beat rival keeper Melroy Fernandes.
Eight minutes later Salgaocar increased the lead with Dudu heading in a cross.
Ogba then pulled on back with a header as well. That was followed up by Boima’s easy tap in front of a crowded goalmouth.
Borges blasted home from close range off a perfect pass from Velito Cruz for Sporting’s lead before Jairu secured the equaliser in stoppage time. (PTI)
