GPL 2019-20: Dempo SC blank Sesa Football Academy

The Golden Eagles scored in the second half to secure all three points from the match.

Dempo SC started their Goa Pro League campaign with an easy win over Sesa Football Academy 2-0 on Wednesday afternoon. Nickson Castanha and Joaquim Abaranches scored in each half to secure the win for the Golden Eagles.

Joaquim Abranches and Mathew Gonsalves were back in the Starting XI for the Golden Eagles after missing out for the Goa Police Cup due to state duty. Whereas, forward Olvin Cardozo was also back in the playing XI for the Academy Boys who was also part of Goa Santosh Trophy West Zone Qualifier team.

Dempo almost surged ahead in the fifth minute when their U-20 winger Rajat Harijar made a darting run on the wing and sent a low cross in the box to Abranches. However, his shot hit the goal post before going out for a goal kick. In the next few minutes, the Golden Eagles frustrated opponents with a possession-based play, however, they could not make any changes to the scoreboard in the first 20 minutes.

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In the next few minutes, Sesa had two great opportunities to take the lead as first. Richard Cardoz made a short pass to Olvin at the top of the box, who was denied by the Dempo keeper Agnelo Gomes.

In the final minutes of the first half, Sesa were denied a penalty by referee Sharad Naik when Melvin Lobo’s shot from the top of the box hit Dempo defender Nickson Castanha.

On crossing over, Dempo made a swift attack on the rival as Nickson found their Joaquim in the box with a cross but the forward failed to keep his header on target from point-blank range.

Dempo coach Samir Naik made his first two substitutions in the early second half. Suraj Hadkonkar and Beevan D’Mello replaced Aman Govekar and Pedro Gonsalves respectively. The changes brought pace in the match as Dempo made some swift attacks.

In the following minutes, Beevan made a beautiful through pass to Joaquim - who was brought down by Sesa keeper Sapam Singh just outside the box. As a result, Nickson’s perfect free kick gave no chance to the Sesa keeper, making it 1-0 for Dempo.

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At the other end, SESA had a great chance when substitute striker Kunal Salgaonkar found himself in a great position to score, however, Dempo keeper Gomes once again averted danger.

Sesa were once again denied a penalty when forward Kunal was brought down in the box by Dempo's Mathew but the referee overlooked the situation.

At the other end, Beevan came up with another through pass to Joaquim who made a clinical finish to make it 2-0 for Dempo.

Click here for the Goa Pro League 2019-20 points table after this match.