GPL 2019-20: Dempo pip FC Goa with solitary goal

Joaquim Abranches scored the all-important goal in the 23rd minute for the Golden Eagles.

Dempo secured a solitary goal win over FC Goa in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium on Tuesday. Joaquim Abranches scored the all-important goal in the 23rd minute for the Golden Eagles.

FC Goa coach Derick Pereira made two changes to his side after a 1-1 draw against Sesa FA in the last match. Christy Davis and Sweden Fernandes found their names in the starting XI. Whereas, Mathew Gonsalves and Pedro Gonsalves were back in the Dempo lineup, which registered a comeback 3-2 win over Salgaocar FC in the previous round.

The Junior Gaurs were the first to have a look at goal in the 8th minute. Sweden found Lalawmpuia with a short pass, but the lad’s flick missed the target by a few inches.

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Dempo replied with a swift attack of their own. Yogesh Kadam made a long cross to Joaquim in the box, but the forward failed to keep his header on target.

However, the Golden Eagles managed to take the lead in the 23rd minute. Nickson Castanha’s corner was completely missed by every opponent present in the box and Joaquim applied an easy tap-in to make it 1-0 for his side.

FC Ga had a chance to level back on the half hour mark. Lalawmpuia, after receiving a through pass from Nestor Dias made a darting run, beating every opponent in his way with pace. But, his strike rebounded off the goalpost, while, the loose ball was shot wide by Nestor.

A few minutes later, they had another chance to make it all square. Sweden sent a fine cross to Christy in the box, but his goalbound header was acrobatically pushed for a corner by Dempo custodian Agnelo Gomes.

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Dempo also had a chance to double their lead in the added minutes. Nickson found Alber Gonsalves from a free-kick, but the winger saw his header miss the target by a whisker.

FC Goa regrouped at half-time and came out attacking in the second half. They made numerous raids on the rivals, but could not make any change to the scoreline.

In one of these, Hayden Fernandes made a through pass to Lalawmpuia, but Dempo keeper Agnelo came off his line to clear the danger at the cost of a corner. A few minutes later, Kapil made a low cross to Hayden. He fired a powerful shot from just outside the box, which was blocked by Dempo keeper Agnelo. The ball rolled to Lalawmpuia, who shot wide with an empty goal in front of him.

They wasted another opportunity in the last quarter of the match. Kapil sent a perfect through pass to the overlapping Leander D’Cunha, who covered some ground, but his shot found the side netting from inside the box. In added-time, Hayden made a long pass to Aaron D’Silva in the box, but the substitute striker failed to connect from close range.

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