MARGAO
Dempo Sports Club and Rangdajied United FC played out a goalless draw in Group C of I-League 3, at Dempo Academy ground, Ella, Old Goa, on Tuesday.
The club’s young squad led by head coach Samir Naik showed great resilience and determination through out the campaign, overcoming several challenges along the way. The journey to secure the next round qualification was not an easy one for the Golden Eagles.
Golden Eagles played the ball neatly in the channels, inter-changing passes at pace and never allowing Rangdajied FC to settle. The home side largely played on the counter and were overly reliant on their playmaker Seigoumang Doungle to create anything of note.
The Golden Eagles played attacking football from the outset and created and the first chance of the match in the first half involved a fine move from left back Brian Faria who laid off a fine ball for striker Vasim Inamdar inside the rival penalty box whose feeble attempt went straight into the safe hands of rival goalkeeper Banshanshem Kharsyntiew. Dempo had another chance but Seigoumang Doungle shot straight into the hands of the rival goalkeeper.
It was Dempo who created the bulk of the better chances towards the end of the first half but their forwards were wasteful from close range.
At the other end, Rangdajied FC adopted defensive approach and rarely went for the attack. Unfazed about playing in front home crowd, it was Dempo who created better chances as midfielder Desmon Pereira in a one-to-one situation fumbled in front of the rival penalty box before the water break.
At the other end, Rangdajied FC had a golden chance when Owanjuuj Pajuh who broke himself from his marker and raced inside the Dempo penalty box and Pajuh's shot hit his leg which was collected by the opposition goalkeeper.
Dempo brought on fresh legs as academy players Vieri Colaco, Vinay Harji and Necio Fernandes set the tone fast and swarmed all over the rival territory and gave torrid time to the rival defenders.
The club’s fans will be delighted to see Dempo back in the I-League. The Golden Eagles have a large and passionate fan base in the State.The fans have remained loyal to the club and have continued to support the team through thick and thin.
Dempo Sports Club topped the group with 10 points in four matches.
