PANAJI
Duler Stadium witnessed a cracker of a game as Sporting Clube de Goa and Dempo Sports Club shared the spoils in eight-goal thriller in the Goa Football Association Selvel Goa Professional League on Wednesday.
Uttam Rai scored a first half hat-trick before Desmon Pereira added the fourth as the Golden Eagles led 4-2 at the break with Gaurav Kankonkar and Kunal Kundaikar scoring for the Flaming Orange. In the second half, Sporting Clube scored two through Gaurav and Joel while Dempo were reduced to 10 men after Kirtikesh received marching orders.
Sporting Clube took an early lead in the 5th minute and it came from a well executed set-piece. Myron Fernandes whipped in a perfect cross in the box from a short corner where Akeraj Martins flicked at the far post. Gaurav Kankonkar who was unmarked nodded in to give the Flaming Oranje and early advantage.
But the joy was short-lived as Dempo levelled terms in the 8th minute and it was Shallum Pires who played a long pass where Uttam Rai was set through on goal. With just the keeper, Uttam slotted home with a low finish.
Dempo were awarded a penalty in the 10th minute when Sporting Clube defender Joel handled Pedro Gonsalves’ flicked pass in the area. Uttam made no mistake to score despite Ozen Silva diving in right direction. That’s three goals in the opening 11 minutes of the game.
Sporting Clube nearly got the equaliser in the 13th minute from a corner but Alton Vaz’s header came off the crossbar.
Dempo scored their third in the 27th through Desmon Pereira. Uttam Rai sent a lobbed ball in the area, where Sporting Clube defence failed to clear and Desmon nodded in from behind giving no chance for Ozen Silva. Uttam Rai completed his hat-trick in the 29th minute where he guided in Desmon’s flicked pass.
The action filled first session saw yet another turn of events as Sporting Clube substitute Philip Odogwu was brought down in the box by Dempo’s Shallum Pires. Kunal Kundaikar slammed the roof of the net to pull another back for Sporting.
Dempo were reduced to 10 men at the hour mark when Kirtikesh Gadekar received marching orders for his second booking of the evening. From the resultant free-kick Sporting Clube capitalised when Gaurav’s free kick was blocked by Melroy Fernandes however the ball rolled to Joel, who slotted home to make it 3-4.
Gaurav Kankonkar scored a cracker in the 68th minute to make it 4-4 and get Sporting Clube back in the game. Philip had a chance to put Sporting Clube ahead but he squandered a glorious chance to score from the face of the goal when he headed Myron’s delivery over the bar. Sporting had the chance to bury the game but Philip was wasteful for Sporting Clube.
