Champions finish top despite final-day defeat; Dempo snatch runners-up spot in dramatic finale
Sporting Clube de Goa celebrate after sealing a historic third consecutive Goa Professional League title, finishing champions despite a 1-2 defeat to FC Goa in their final match at Duler Stadium on Thursday.
PANAJI
Sporting Clube de Goa officially concluded their Goa Professional League season as champions on Thursday, following their final fixture against FC Goa at the Duler Stadium. Despite a 1-2 result in the finale, the Flaming Oranje end the campaign at the top of the standings, having secured a historic third consecutive league title.
FC Goa established an early lead, with Vellington Fernandes opening the scoring in the 10th minute from the left flank. The visitors doubled their advantage in the 18th minute through Shawn Fernandes, who converted from close range on the right side.
Sporting responded in the 20th minute via Austin Fernandes. Utilising clinical ball control on the right, Fernandes maneuvered through a congested defence before identifying a gap and unleashing a precise strike to pull one back for the hosts.
The second half was characterised by sustained possession from Sporting as they pressured for an equaliser. While the Flaming Oranje controlled the tempo and created several opportunities in the final third, the FC Goa backline remained disciplined to protect the narrow lead until the final whistle.
With Sporting Clube de Goa finishing the campaign as league winners for the third consecutive time, the team returns to the pitch this Saturday to host GMSC at the Bambolim Stadium for their I-League 2 campaign.
GFA President Dr Caitano Fernandes presented the trophy to the GPL champions in the presence of GFA ex-co member and Sporting Clube de Goa CEO Allan Valentino D’Cruz and other GFA executive members.
Dempo beat Salgaocar
At Ella, Dempo SC faced Geno FC needing a win to overhaul Clube de Salgaocar and secure the GPL Super League runners-up spot. Dempo started brightly, with goalkeeper Mohammad Khan making an early save before Murphy Fernandes opened the scoring.
Murphy’s run found Swavel Furtado, whose shot was parried by the Geno keeper, but Murphy reacted quickest to slot home the rebound for 1-0.
Geno FC responded before the break when Deeshank Kunkalikar’s free kick found Mohammed Rafi K, whose header levelled the scores at 1-1.
The second half was tense, with few clear chances, though Jordan Borges forced an excellent save from the Geno keeper.
Then, in the third minute of stoppage time, Dempo found the winner. Murphy delivered into the box, Shreyash Naik’s effort was blocked, and Mevan Dias reacted first to smash home on the dip for a dramatic 2-1 victory.
The win lifted Dempo to runners-up on 44 points, leapfrogging Salgaocar, who finished on 43.
At Sirsaim, Sesa FA completed another comeback. Soham Sheticar gave Chapora Yuvak Sangh a first-half lead, but second-half goals from Titus Rosanglura and Pradip Aheibam sealed a 2-1 win for Sesa.
