Goa Pro League: Guardian Angel, Dempo split points after seesaw affair

Both sides came from behind during the pulsating 90 minutes.

An injury-time goal from Joel Barretto helped Guardian Angel Sports Club to hold Dempo Sports Club to an entertaining 2-2 draw in the Goa Pro League match played at Duler Stadium on Saturday.

Jovial Dias scored in the 15th minute to put the Angels into the lead, but the Golden Eagles regrouped at the breather and came out stronger in the second half. They made it all even through Shallum Pires. Angels' Leny Fernandes' interception finished in his own net to give the lead for Dempo. However, Joel came off the bench and scored in the added minutes to secure a a point for the Curchorem side.

Coach Riston Rodrigues made two changes to his side which defeated Panjim Footballers in the last match. Kimran Fernandes and Leny Fernandes made a start for the Angels. On the other hand, Dempo tactician Samir Naik made only one change to his side which secured a 4-1 win over Sesa FA in the previous match. Desmon Pereira found his name in the starting XI for the Golden Eagles.

Angels started the match on an attacking note. Forwards Jovial and Beneston Barretto kept the Dempo defence busy from the kickoff. After some probing attacks, they finally managed to take the lead in the 15th minute. A perfect through pass from Kimran was collected by Jovial and he made no mistake to beat the keeper from inside the box with a curler.

At the other end, Dempo also came close to finding the equalizer. A corner by Richard Cardozo found Shallum in the box, but the lad saw his header miss the target.

The Golden Eagles had another great opportunity at the half hour mark. Defender Gaurav Vaigankar tried to setup his teammate with a floated cross from the halfway line. Taking advantage of the same, Richard went for glory with a first time shot, but Angels' keeper Pratheesh Veettil made a brilliant save. The ball rolled to unmarked Uttam Rai who slotted home. But, the goal was ruled out as the Dempo forward failed to beat the offside trap.

Angels custodian Veettil once again came to rescue his side just after the break, as he brilliantly blocked Uttam's goalbound shot from an acute angle.

The Golden Eagles should have found the leveler in the 55th minute. A half clearance by an Angels defender found Beevan D'Mello. He dribbled past a defender to enter the box, but failed to control his strike with just the keeper to beat.

Dempo finally managed to score from a set-piece in the 58th minute. Richard's corner found Shallum at the far post. He slammed the ball into the roof of the net to make it all square.

Beevan had a chance to take his side into the lead on the hour mark, but the forward saw his goalbound strike saved by Angels keeper Veettil. The custodian came up with another breathtaking save, as he denied Suraj Hadkonkar's long ranger.

However, Dempo once again managed to get past Angels custodian Veettil in the 79th minute. Kirtikesh Gadrkar sent a through pass to Uttam. He tried to find a well-positioned Beevan in the box, but Angels defender Leny saw his interception finish in the back of his own net.

When it was looking like Dempo will take home all three points, Angels substitute Joel found the net in the added minutes. Basanta Singh sent a short cross to Mevan Dias whose header setup the substitute. Joel then headed the ball home to make it 2-2.

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