The victorious Sporting Clube de Goa team.
PANAJI
Sporting Clube de Goa held their nerve from the spot to win the Charity Match with a 5-3 tie-break win over Dempo SC after a 1-1 draw in regulation at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Sunday.
Debutant Aaron Barreto gave Sporting the dream start, slotting home in the 13th minute after fine link-up play between Rohan Rodrigues and Naocha Singh. The striker nearly doubled his tally moments later, but Dempo SC keeper Myrick Hilario smothered the danger.
Dempo SC fought back and found their equalizer in the 69th minute. Captain Arnold Oliveira floated in a teasing ball that Mevan Dias nodded into Murphy Fernandes’ path, and the midfielder dived in to bundle home past Abhimanyu Singh.
The contest stayed level through 90 minutes despite both sides creating late chances, forcing the tie into a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, Sporting stayed composed as Edwin Viegas, Doyal Alves, Myron Fernandes, and skipper Kunal Kundaikar converted. Dempo SC replied through Murphy Fernandes and Rahul Rodrigues, but misses from Necio Fernandes and captain Arnold Oliveira proved costly. Sporting goalkeeper Abhimanyu Singh emerged the hero, pulling off decisive saves to seal the victory.
