Dempo's Brian Faria receives the Player of the Match prize from Sujay Korgaonkar, PI, Mapusa Special Branch.
Photo Credits: The Goan
PANAJI
Dempo Sports Club and Churchill Brothers played out a 1-1 draw in the GFA Goa Professional League at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Saturday.
Churchill Brothers SC were given an early chance in the game to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty in the ninth minute. However, Shubert Pereira who had scored most of the penalty kicks earlier, couldn't get past Dempo keeper Antonio Silva. The Dempo custodian dived to his right to deny Shubert.
Minutes later, Churchill Brothers' Jobern Cardozo danced his way past the Dempo defence and then fired the shot wide from inside the goal area. At the other end, Dempo SC had an opportunity when a cross from the right found Desmon Pereira inside the box, but he saw his effort go off target.
In the 43rd minute, Churchill Brothers keeper failed to deal with a Dempo cross and the ball rolled to Desmon but the ball which was bouncing into the goal was cleared off the line by George. However, the clearance was met by Kirtikesh, who fired a shot from inside the box but way off target. Churchill Brother finally broke the deadlock in the 45th minute when Dempo's Shallum Pires' back-pass to goalkeeper Antonio was intercepted by Malsawmdawngkima, who scored to make it 1-0.
In the second half, Dempo made a couple of changes which saw them put up a much-improved performance. They had a series of corners but failed to take their chances. But the equaliser finally arrived in the 65th minute when Beneston Barreto fired a perfect volley past the Churchill Brothers keeper.
Salgaocar FC down Sporting Clube
MARGAO: Salgaocar FC defeated Sporting Clube de Goa 3-2 in the GFA Goa Professional League at Nagoa Panchayat Sports Complex, on Saturday.
Deadlocked until the 24th minute, the game sprung to life when Mark Carvalho tapped it home off a well-measured cross from Umang Gaikwad to put Salgaocar FC in front in the 25th minute. Trailing 0-1, Sporting Clube de Goa solidified themselves at the back and took control of the contest, launching wave after wave of attacks on the rival goal.
Earlier, Sporting Clube de Goa had a charmed life when Mark Carvalho's rasping shot missed the target. Sporting Clube de Goa cancelled the lead in the injury time of the first half when Rovan Rodrigues floated the ball inside the penalty box to Chandan Das, who slammed home to neutralise the lead. In the 45+3' minute, under-20 Richie Vaz put Sporting Clube ahead.
The start of the second half was more of a tussle for the ball in the midfield. Salgaocar, however, soon went into the offensive and were rewarded in the 78th minute when captain Samuel Costa unleashed a shot into the net to restore parity.
Salgaocar continued to press and allowed no space to Sporting Clube players and substitute midfielder Antosh Moniz struck the match-winner in the injury time (90+3' minute) to add to his birthday celebrations.
