the goan I network
DULER
A 75th-minute goal from Joaquim Abranches enabled Dempo Sports Club register a solitary goal win over Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in their Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here on Tuesday.
The win helped Dempo retain their second position in the league with 41 points from 18 matches, while Cavelossim are at the bottom of the table with just 16 points from 20 outings. After their last league matches which were drawn, Cavelossim coach Severino Fernandes brought striker Semson Fernandes, midfielder Ralfh Fernandes and defender Aaron Antao in the starting XI. At the other end, Dempo coach Samir Naik also made two changes -- U-20 defender Edwin Viegas was handed his debut in the the Pro League, while Jaison Vaz also made the cut for the Golden Eagles.
In the 13th minute, Dempo should have taken the lead when Kapil Hoble set up Latesh Mandrekar in front of an empty goal with a fine cross but the midfielder failed to keep his header on target. At the other end, Cavelossim would have stunned their opponents in the 35th minutes when Semson curled the ball to Alvito Miranda in the box but the striker’s header missed the target by
a whisker.
In the 47th minute, Dempo were lucky not to concede a goal when Cavelossim forward Alvito’s 35-yard strike beat Dempo keeper, who was out of position, but the shot hit the crossbar and allowed keeper Agnelo Gomes to
make a save.
On resumption of play, Dempo caoch Samir brought in Joaquim Abranches from the bench and the latter had two good chances to give his team the lead. In the 50th minute, Cavelossim came close in opening their account as Moises D’Sa sent a lob to Ralfh in the box but the midfielder’s strike from close was brilliantly blocked by Dempo keeper Agnelo Gomes.
Five minutes later, Dempo’s Beevan D’Mello sent a through pass to Abranches but the just-in striker shot wide from inside with just Cavelossim keeper Razak Devsor at his mercy. Cavelossim lost another glorious chance to take the lead in the 66th minute when Ashley Araujo sent a floated pass to Alvito just outside the box but the striker’s over-ambitious shot went sky-high with Dempo keeper Agnelo out of position.
Finally in the 75th minute, the Golden Eagles broke the deadlock when Abranches’ rasping shot beat Cavelossim keeper Razak from inside of the box after he received a perfect through pass from Beevan, to make it 1-0 for Dempo. Ten minutes later, Dempo could have extended their lead when their skipper Nickson Castanha sent a curling cross to Beevan in the box but the latter’s header from close went just over
the crossbar.
PLAYING TODAY
Vasco SC vs Salgaocar FC, Duler Stadium, 4 pm; Corps of Signals vs Sporting Clube de Goa, Duler Stadium, 7 pm
