MAPUSA
Dempo Sports Club rallied to get the better of Guardian Angel Sports Club by a 2-0 margin in the eighth round match of the Goa Professional League organised by GFA, at Duler stadium, here on Friday.
Dempo in-charge Samir Naik made three changes in his starting line-up with Gaurish Naik, Naveen Mendes and Jaison Vaz, while Guardian Angel coach Riston Rodrigues came with just one change in his starting line-up by starting Clifton Dias and resting Rayman Fernandes.
Golden Eagles scored a goal in each session of play through Kapil Hoble (22nd min) and Alson Fernandes (57th, self goal) to take the top spot with 18 points while Guardian Angel, who have 11 points, stay at fifth position.
Dempo colts after having won their last league match against Calangute Association started brightly, playing with the swagger and confidence that comes with the knowledge that you are in a familiar territory. In the 15th minute, Yogesh Kadam had the first look at the rival goal but his blistering shot from outside the penalty box went just over the crossbar.
After some probing, finally in the 22nd minute, Dempo forged ahead when Gaurish Naik sent a long ball inside the Angel's penalty box where keeper Ram Sroop in the process of clearing the ball saw his attempt hit Kapil's leg and enter the goal, 1-0. The Golden Eagles should have doubled their score ten minutes later when Kapil got hold of the ball just inside the Angel's half and after dribbling past a host of rival defenders drilled a shot at the goal but it was superbly blocked by keeper Ram Sroop for a corner.
At the other end, Dempo's centre back Mathew Gonsalves' defensive error could have cost his team a goal. His miss-clearance travelled to Joval Fernandes who darted inside the penalty box and slammed a hot-blooded shot which was pushed for a corner by keeper Agnelo Gomes with a diving save. From the resultant corner by Nicholas Rodrigues, Angel defender Sanwil D'Costa failed to keep his header on target.
On resumption of play in the 57th minute, Dempo's Suraj Hadkonkar floated the ball to an overlapping Kapil but before the latter could get the ball, Angel's defender Alson Fernandes stretched and in the process of clearing the ball shot into his own goal, 2-0.
Guardian Angel had a glorious chance to score in the 70th minute of play. A curling corner by Nicholas Rodrigues saw Clifton Dias fail to connect it into the goal from close. Two minutes later, Dempo's Naveen Mendes sent a pinpoint cross to Kapil inside the goal area but the latter headed the ball over the crossbar.
