MAPUSA: Debutants Faria Sports Management gave mighty Sporting Clube de Goa a run for their money before the two sides shared a point each with a 1-1 draw in the Kingfisher Pro League encounter played at Duler grounds, here on Wednesday.

Relegated from the I-league, a new coach at helm and the weight of peoples’ expectation to carry, it seems the Flaming Orange have a tough season to go ahead; and if things continue the way it turned out in Mapusa today, one can hardly see Sporting making it back in the elite I-league in the near future.

The loss of talismanic Nigerian striker Junior Omagbhiro to Chirag United has exposed Sporting’s weakness in a crucial department of the game and today’s draw was only because of the lack of finishing by the Sporting players at crucial junctures.

After playing the entire first session in the Faria territory, Sporting fans could hardly digest the goalless scoreline at the breather.

Lack of innovation in the midfield and safe goalkeeping by Faria keeper Sugitesh Mandrekar frustrated the Flaming Orange.

U-20 wingback Jovel Martins struck the woodwork in the 5th minute, before Sugitesh held his fort to stop Valzino Fernandes and Pritam Singh’s close range strikes.

Faria were living on the edge but a pep talk at halftime from team owner Mr Francis Faria brought the best out of his players and in the 62nd minute striker Felix Barreto broke the deadlock.

Felix, using his robust body bulldozed his way past the Sporting defence to bury his shot in the roof of the net.

The bewildered Sporting outfit were looking for some inspiration of their own and the introduction of former Sesa Academy man Anthony D’Sousa turned things around for them.

Minutes after coming on to the field, the winger restored parity for Sporting in a goal which showcased his pace and skill.

Sporting soon gained momentum into their attack with Anthony leading them upfront.

However, it was Faria’s extraordinary U-20 keeper Sugitesh Mandrekar who proved to be Sporting’s nemesis as he time and again put his body on the line to keep the scoreline intact.