Goan FC crowned Goa Pro League champions after beating Dempo Sports Club

Goan Football Club won the maiden Goa Professional League title as they defeated Dempo Sports Club by a 2-0 margin in the last match of league, played at Ella Ground, Dempo SC Academy, here on Monday.

 

Dempo who had defeated Churchill Brothers in the last league match had no changes to their side, whereas, Goan coach Clifford Miranda made three changes to his side which lost to Sporting Clube de Goa in the previous match as Brian Faria, Lalawmpuia and Serineo Fernandes made into the cut.

 

 

At the other end, Goans almost found the opener in the 6th minute when Saviour Gama's curling freekick from just outside the box hit the side post and deflect off the keeper Caiado and went out for a corner. A few minutes later, they once again came close to scoring when Lalawmpuia easily cut past a defender and went for the glory from the top of the box but his powerful strike hit the crossbar.

 

Goans had another opportunity in the 13th minute when Kingslee Fernandes made a through pass to Serineo Fernandes in the box but his shot was brilliantly blocked by Dempo custodian Caiado. Dempo also had a chance to surge ahead in the very next minute as Joaquim Abranches dribbled past a defender after getting a short pass from Pedro and shot from the top of the box but Goan keeper Shubam Dhas made a diving effort to clear the danger for a corner.

 

Goans finally surged ahead in the 23rd minute when Hayden Fernandes' long ranger entered the top corner giving no chance to Dempo keeper who was left rooted to the ground.

 

Dempo had a great opportunity to level back in the 36th minute when they were awarded a freekick just outside the box but their skipper Jessel Carneiro's curling shot was easily collected by Goan keeper Dhas.

 

At the other end, Dempo doubled their lead in the 38th minute when Dempo defender Edwin Veigas made a miss pass to Liston who covered some ground and made a square pass to Lalawmpuia who made an easy tap in to make it 2-0 for the Junior Gaurs.

 

Dempo came close to scoring within five minutes of crossing over when Kirtikesh Gadekar made short pass to Floyd Pinto in the box who cut past a defender and shot on the goal but Goan custodian brilliantly blocked his goalbound strike at the cost of a corner.

 

Goans were reduced to 10-men in the 58 minute when their defender Gama made a front footed tackle on Suraj Hadkonkar where referee Prasad Surlekar quickly showed him the direct Red card.

 

However, despite of having disadvantage in players, it was Goan's who came twice close to scoring but first Lalawmpuia shot wide from inside, while a few minutes later, Liston's strike from close was brilliantly blocked by Dempo shot-stopper Caiado.

 

The Golden Eagles also came with a couple of close chances but on both the occasions Goan defence line cleared the danger on time.

 

 

 

 

 

Down by two goals, Dempo gaffer Samir Naik used all his substitutes bringing in Jaison Vaz, Suraj Hadkonkar and Beevan D'Mello but could not make any difference to the score sheet.

 

In the 85th minute of the match, Goans once again played with their 11 players when their substitute Lalawmpuia mistakenly came on the field where referee Prasad shown him the Yellow card and was sent out.

 

Though, Dempo were the dominant side in the last 30 minutes of the match, they could not break Goans' strong defence led by Meldon D'Silva and Lalmangaihsanga along with Serineo and Brian on the wings.