Margao : An inspiring performance from Subrata Paul under the bar helped debutants DSK Shivajians inflict a goalless draw against Sporting Clube de Goa in the Hero I-League match at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here today.
The much fancied Goan outfit could not utilise the home advantage with their strikers wasting numerous scoring opportunities.
The home team put a lot of pressure in the closing stage also and even managed to put the ball into the net in the injury time, but Shivajians goalkeeper Subrato Paul pushed the ball out of the goal.
The ball had crossed the line but the assistant referee disallowed the goal.
Sporting Clube de Goa, who lost to East Bengal in their lung-opener, had the game under their control as they created scoring chances. Odafe Okolie had got two easy chances but he failed to direct his shots on target.
Rowllin Borges, who came back from injury, turned out to be the hero of the match for the home team as he controlled the midfield, giving passes. He was well supported by Nicholas Fernandes and Glen Martins on the flank as they kept on pressing for an early goal.
But Odafe and Mohmoud Al Amna were unable to get past keeper Paul.
Paul was largely responsible for his team collecting a point from this game.
The visitors, on the other hand, preferred to hold their citadel, playing a waiting game.
Shivajians attacked their rival team with counter moves.
They even managed to create chances, especially in the second half but Indrajeet Chougale either shot off the target or failed to beat keeper Arindam Bhattacharja. Despite putting up an inspired performance on the flank, he could not score a goal.
His best chance came in the second half when he was put through in the open inside the box by Aser Dipanda but he ended shooting off the mark with only keeper at his mercy.
Sporting Clube de Goa today opened their account after loosing the first match, while DSK Shivajians collected one point from their opening tie.
With Inputs from PTI