Dempo SC president Shrinivas Dempo watches his team play at Tilak Maidan.
Photo Credits: Dempo SC
MARGAO
Dempo Sports Club edged past an 8-Man Kerala United FC 1-0 in the I-League 3 playoff at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Sunday, thanks to a second-half goal by substitute striker Subham Rawat.
The former I-League champions began the game with determination, showcasing their attacking prowess and nearly found success when in the 6th minute, striker Vasim Inamdar struck from outside the box but was denied by a superb save by Kerala goalkeeper Mohammed Sinan VK.
Kerala United FC suffered a jolt when Rizwan Shoukath made a vicious tackle on a Dempo player and referee Arun Chakravarti ejected him, reducing the Kerala team to 10 men.
Moments later, Dempo went close to scoring again but Jesmon Pereira's shot was well-saved by the Kerala goalkeeper. Kerala United suffered another blow when defender Rudrarajsinh Jadeja was red-carded after a dangerous tackle on a Dempo player. Dempo utilised the numerical advantage as their opponent were short of two men.
As the game progressed, the visiting team made a threatening move but Dempo goalkeeper Welleyster Mendes pulled off a save to deny the Kerala side. Dempo's Seigoumang Doungle and Kerala United's William Lalnunfela were also red-carded by the referee in the 24th minute.
The second half started with Dempo exerting pressure and the Golden Eagle were all over Kerala United FC with their forwards troubling the Kerala rearguard. The all-important goal came in the 78th minute when Rawat headed home off a well-measured cross from Laximanrao Rane.
At the other end, Kerala United FC did try to get forward in attack but struggled to find inroads into their opponents' defence.
Naik lauds his team
Dempo head coach Samir Naik expressed his happiness with the narrow 1-0 result on Sunday.
“I am happy with the result. We played a good match against a good team. We managed to show our character in the match and this is what we always need,” Naik told 'The Goan'. “We used a lot of players and everyone is performing excellently, but we must play with the same performance throughout.
"We controlled the match completely and we were better than the Kerala side. We scored three important points and played effectively against them," the head coach said. “I hope that we will benefit from this good performance in the upcoming matches. Our boss Shrinivas Dempo watched the game and inspired the boys to give their best. Before the match and at half time he gave a pep talk to the players and motivated them."
