Kamal Thapa's late goal helped Vasco draw their match at t against new entrants Hayward 2000 Sporting by draw to split points in their opening encounter of the 8th National Football League, played at Nehru Stadium, at Margao on Saturday.

Vasco took the lead in the 8th minute through a penalty by Brazilian recruit Edson T De Castro after Amaechi Tochukwu was tripped inside the box by Sporting defender Akshay Das.

Few minutes later, Vasco had a chance to increase the lead but Tochukwu from inside the box hit the post off a pass from Cabral.

Sporting created more scoring chances and drew parity two minutes before half time when Bibiano Fernandes' 35-yards shot beat keeper Ramos all ends.

Earlier, Francis Andrade who initiated most of Sporting moves saw his shot going inches over the bar.

After change of ends, Sporting played an organised game in the midfield, pressed hard and deservedly took the lead in the 83rd minute when Louis Aniweta's header was bang on target of a flag kick taken by Andrade from the right.

Vasco, then, pressed hard for the equaliser and restored parity five minutes before the final time.

Sushant Mathew managed to find some space on the right after he was fed by a long pass by defender Agnelo Colaco and sent a measured cross to Kamal Thapa who sent a powerful header to the far end of the net.

Referee Bhaskar showed yellow cards to Sporting's Louis Aniweta, Akshay Das and Vasco's Selwyn Fernandes and Edson T Dcastro.