PANAJI
Dempo Sports Club ended their three-match losing streak with a hard-earned 1-1 draw against Rajasthan United in their ninth-round I-League 2024-25 clash at the Vidyadhar Nagar Stadium on Sunday.
The result sees Dempo secure their first point of the year, taking their tally to 11 points and staying within striking distance of their hosts, who sit one point ahead with 12. After a tense and cagey first half, young goalkeeper Ashish Sibi found himself in the spotlight.
The Dempo custodian was involved in a dramatic sequence of events that defined the opening period. In the 31st minute, Sibi spilled a cross from Alain Oyarzun under pressure from Naoba Meitei, allowing Gerard Artigas to pounce and give Rajasthan United the lead.
However, Sibi displayed remarkable resilience to bounce back just minutes later. In the 38th minute, he produced a heroic save to deny Oyarzun’s penalty, diving sharply to his right and pushing the ball clear to keep Dempo in the game.
The penalty had been awarded after a handball in a chaotic goalmouth scramble, but Sibi’s intervention proved pivotal, inspiring his teammates to fight back.
The second half saw Dempo grow into the game, stifling Rajasthan’s attacking efforts while mounting dangerous moves of their own. Their persistence bore fruit in the 76th minute when Shaher Shaheen found the equaliser. Pruthvesh Pednekar’s intelligent header set up the Syrian midfielder, who arrived at the far post to slot home from close range and ignite celebrations among the visitors.
Rajasthan United pushed hard for a late winner, with Gerard Artigas coming close in stoppage time, but his header drifted just wide of the far post. Dempo’s defence held firm, ensuring they returned to Goa with a valuable point.
