Goa Pro League: Dempo secure important win over Vasco

The Golden Eagles moved to 2nd position with 17 points from nine matches.

Dempo Sports Club managed to secure a hard-fought solitary goal win over Vasco Sports Club in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Wednesday. Desmon Pereira scored the all-important goal for the Golden Eagles in the 77th minute.

Ariston Costa replaced suspended Kirtikesh Gadekar in the Dempo’s Xi which registered an easy 3-0 win over YC Manora in the previous match. While, the Port Towners who were playing without their regular starters Sanwil D’Costa, Karan Shirodkar and Warren Pereira due to suspension had few changes to their side as Alson Fernandes, Pidroy Carvalho and U20 Mcliesh Pereira replaced them lineup.

The Port Towners should have taken the lead in the very second minute when a Dempo’s Dantstan Fernandes and Darell Mascarenhas failed to clear a long clearance by Vasco’s last line. Taking advantage of the same, Francisco Fernandes took over the ball and covered some ground before blasting from inside the box, only to see it sail over the crossbar with just Dempo keeper Melroy Fernandes at the stake.

Dempo took some to come with a first attack of the match as Uttam Rai nicely cut past a defender in the box went for glory with a sparkling strike but Vasco’s custodian Risven Fernandes brilliantly blocked his strike. A few minutes later, they had another opportunity as Uttam this time came with a defence-splitting through pass to Richard Cardoz in the box but the U20 lad shot found the side netting.

Vasco keeper Risven came with another brilliant save in the 24th minute as Richard sent a perfect corner to Uttam whose goalbound header was divingly pushed away by the Vasco custodian to keep his side safe. The Port Topwners also missed the opportunity to surge ahead just before the halftime whistle as Denil found Alson in the box with a pin-point freekick from the halfway line. However, the Vasco defender could not control his strike from close with the just rival keeper to beat.

Dempo had the best opportunity to take the lead in the very 4th minute as Vasco defender Pidroy brought down Dempo’s Pedro just outside the box to gift away a freekick in the dangerous position. However, Pedro’s strike from the set-piece sailed over the crossbar. Vasco also had a chance from the freekick where Denil Rebello tried his luck from the distance with a direct shot but his scorching strike missed the target narrowly.

Dempo were once again awarded a freekick just outside the box but this time Vasco keeper Risven made a fully stretched save to deny substitute Suraj. A minute later, Vasco custodian Risven made a brilliant save to deny Desmon Pereira from point-blank range.

At the other end, the Port Towners showed some urgency to take the lead as they came with a series of attacks. In one of them, substitute Savlon Fernandes made a through pass to Mathew Colaco who cut it back to onrushing Desmon Gama in the box but the U20 winger could not keep his shot on target from close as the ball went over the crossbar.

When it was looking like the match will end in a goalless draw, Dempo’s Demon scored the winner in the 77th minutes for his side. Substitute Suraj came with a fine cross in the box which was parried by Vasco custodian but the ball travelled to unmarked Desmon who headed in from goalmouth to book all three points for the Golden Eagles.

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