PANAJI
Sesa FA and Cortalim Villagers battled to a hard-fought 1-1 draw in the Goa Professional League at the Sirsaim ground on Monday.
Cortalim dominated the first half, controlling the midfield and orchestrating waves of attacks. Their persistence bore fruit in the 41st minute when Navneet set up Prathmesh Gaonkar on the edge of the box. Gaonkar produced a moment of magic, curling a stunning effort from the left flank into the far corner, giving his side a deserved lead heading into halftime.
The second half witnessed a rejuvenated Sesa FA, brimming with intent and urgency. Their relentless pressure paid off in the 53rd minute when Beckham Singh found the equalizer. Shridharnath delivered a precise cross from the left, and Singh was perfectly positioned to tap it in, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Emboldened by the goal, Sesa pressed hard in search of a winner, piling the pressure on Cortalim’s defense. However, the Villagers' backline stood resolute, repelling multiple threats to preserve the stalemate.
Both teams displayed great character throughout the match, with Cortalim's first-half dominance followed by Sesa FA's second-half resilience. The 1-1 result was a fair reflection of the balance in play, with both sides leaving the field knowing they had given it their all.
