TEAM HERALD

sports@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: Goals from Koko Sakibo and Rohan Rickets  powered Dempo to a 2-1 victory over Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim in a round three match of GFA Kingfisher Pro  League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Monday. There was no score at half time.

DINESH SAKHALKAR CHARGED UP: Dempo and Cavelossim players in the  thick of action at Fatorda, Monday.

Dempo sounded a warning  in the 18^th minute when Rickets picked up a pass from Nicolau Borges, raced goalwards but was thwarted by a defender. A minute later, Nickson Castana’s try was blocked by Cavelossim goalkeeper  Jaison D’Mello with great difficulty.

Cavelossim breached the rival rearguard in the 32nd minute.   Fredrick Endro tore the rival defence and unleashed a right footer which brushed past Stpehen Offei for an abortive flag kick.

Dempo’s best chance came in the 42nd minute. Overlapping wing back Samir Naik received a pass from Nickson Castana and crossed it to Saikobo, who headed wide from close range. Later, Clifton Gonsalves blasted wide from close. Just towards the break, the Cavelossim goalkeeper came to his side’s rescue fisting away Rickets’s shot.

Dempo ‘s beakthrough came in the 53rd minute when Rickets controlled a through pass from Clifton, outwitted Julius Akepele and relayed it to Sakibo, who beat Cavelossim goalkeeper Jaison.

Dempo suffered a setback in the 63rd minute when midfielders Plecio Carvalho and Perryson Rebello combined well and pushed the ball to Fredric Endro who saw Dempo goalkeeper Tyson Caido out of position and nicely hooked the ball into the net for the equaliser.

Dempo retaliated but muffed three sitters with Romeo Fernandes and substitute Joe Rodrigues being the culprits.

With time running out, substitute Wilton Gomes muffed an easy chance for Cavelossin in the 85th minute with only Dempo goalkeeper at his mercy.

Two minutes before the long whistle, Dempo regained the lead. Following Rickets’ through pass, Sakibo’s effort was parried away by goalkeeper Jaison and Rickets pounced on the deflection to give Dempo their third victory on-the-trot.