Goa Pro League: FC Goa edge Dempo Sports Club in tight game

The Junior Gaurs registered their second win after facing a defeat in their opening match.

Dempo Sports Club suffered a first defeat of the season, as FC Goa downed the Golden Eagles 2-1 in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Tuesday.

Vasim Inamdar opened the tally for the Junior Gaurs in the 43rd minute, while Lalremruata doubled their lead just after the hour mark. Whereas, Darrel Mascrenhas scored the consolation goal for the Golden Eagles.

Dempo coach Samir Naik made three changes to their side which drew with Guardian Angel SC in their last match. Shubham Malvankar, Ariston Costa and Alber Gonsalves found their names in the starting XI. Whereas, Delton Fernandes and Kapil Hoble were the two changes made by FC Goa coach Deggie Cardozo.

FC Goa had a look at goal in the very first minute as Dempo conceded a corner. Serineo Fernandes found Lalhmangaihsanga with perfect delivery, but the lad saw his header miss the target narrowly.

Another chance went in vain for FC Goa in the 12th minute when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Serineo's cross from the set-piece was cleared by Dempo defender, which fell to Brison Fernandes. The latter went for glory with a first time shot, but Dempo keeper Melroy Fernandes made a diving effort to stop his goalbound volley which later rebound off the crossbar.

At the other end, Dempo came up with their first potent attack when Ariston Costa setup Kirtikesh Gadekar with a through pass. The Dempo playmaker tried to find an unmarked Beevan D’Mello in the box, but FC Goa custodian Antonio Da Silva came off his line to thwart the Dempo forward in a one-on-one situation.

A minute later, Dempo had another opportunity to take the lead. Richard Cardozo's corner found him in the box, but the defender failed to keep his shot on target.

The Gaurs also failed to capitalize on an easy chance with just five minutes to half-time. Serineo made a darting run and setup Vasim Inamdar with just the Dempo keeper to beat, but the lad headed over the crossbar.

However, in the 43rd minute, the midfielder made up for his previous miss. After receiving a pass from Malsa Ralte, Vasim danced past a defender in the six-yard-box and drilled a powerful shot which gave no chance to Dempo keeper Melroy, making it 1-0 for FC Goa at the breather.

The start of the second half saw both teams trying to keep possession. However, FC Goa managed to double their lead in the 63rd minute. Vasim made a swift run into the box and found Lalremruata with a square pass, who made no mistake to finish the ball in the back of the net.

Dempo regrouped and pulled one back within five minutes. Darell Mascarenhas' hopeful shot from outside the box entered the top corner.

The Golden Eagles tried hard to get back into the match in the last few minutes. They had the best chance to level terms in the dying minutes of the match when they were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Substitute Suraj Hadkonkar sent cross to his teammate Edwin Viegas in the box, but the lanky defender failed to keep his header on target.

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