MARGAO
Veteran striker Marcus Mascarenhas scored the only goal of the match as Sporting Clube de Goa pipped title aspirant and five times champion Dempo Sports Club 1-0 to qualify for the second Division I-League in the I-League 3 Play-Off, at Tilak Maidan, Vasco, on Thursday.
It was a foregone conclusion that the high-voltage battle would be fought fiercely. The star cast on both sides added spice to it.
The defeat was a big setback for Dempo as they failed to extend their lead over Flaming Oranje with just one match remaining.
Dempo showed more purpose in the first half, while Sporting Clube de Goa had relatively slight domination in the latter session though they were unlucky.
The match evolved into a see-saw battle with Dempo pressing for a winner led by the dynamic created chances but Sporting Clube defense held firm.
Midfielder Seigomang Doungle delivered a precise cross for Desmon Pereira who headed straight to the Dempo goalkeeper Welleyster Mendes.
At the other end, Sporting missed one similar fashion attempt when Dattaraj Gaonkar sent in a delivery from the left which found Marcus Mascarenhas only to strike it over the bar.
From another set-piece, Dempo’s Mohamad Ali headed over the bar from Necio Fernandes corner-kick.
Midway, Sporting Clube’s Joyner came up with a brilliant clearance for Sporting after keeper Bhaskar fumbled with Sanwil’s cross as the ball fell to Desmon Pereira who tried to loop it into the goal but it was cleared off for a corner by Joyner.
Later, Necio Fernandes had another attempt on Sporting Clube goal but the keeper came up with a fine save.
Thereafter, a shift in momentum was witnessed with both teams battling fiercely. Dempo initiated a comeback, and Desmon's sublime shot sailed over the cross bar.
In the second half, Dempo SC had yet another chance when Necio sent in a perfect delivery in the area for an unmarked Vasim, who had all the time to score, but he headed wide from the goal mouth.
Sporting Clube de Goa finally scored in the 59th minute through Marcus when Joyson Gaunkar who ran next to the byline and played a cut back pass towards Marcus, who smashed it into the net to score the only goal of the game.
Dempo had their chances with Doungle and Vasim Inamdar joining hands to take shots at the Sporting Clube defence which was stubborn, causing no damage to their winning prospects.
