Dempo too good for Goa Velha
HERALD SPORTS REPORTER
MAPUSA, DEC 27
A brace each by Clifton Gonsalves and Joe Rodrigues allowed Dempo Sports Club to open up a 3-point lead at the top of the table as they defeated Goa Velha Sports Club 4-1 in GFA’s Kingfisher Pro-League at Duler stadium, here on Monday. The match was goalless at the interval.
Midway into the second half, Goa Velha goalkeeper Agnelo Noronha and Dempo’s Jessel Carneiro horrifically collided outside the box which resulted in both players being replaced through injuries. Agnelo was booked for the challenge.
Position and speed were the vital elements of Dempo’s success as they swept aside their opponents who were less prepared physically and tactically. Mickey Fernandes was particularly outstanding at the heart of the midfield with his strong tackling and pinpoint passing.
Goa Velha managed to contain Dempo until half time, but seemed to lose concentration early in the second half which allowed Dempo to score four goals in the space of 13 minutes. They were clearly missing their young, strong tackling defender Gary D’Mello for this encounter.
Dempo started brightly and had Goa Velha on the backfoot with efforts from Samson Fernandes, Godwin Franco and Mickey Fernandes, but their shots lacked the cutting edge to poise any real danger.
Coming to the end of the first half it was Goa Velha who should have been in front, but Clyde Dias and Alber Gonsalves failed to find the necessary composure as their efforts were just wide of the post.
At half time Dempo brought in Joe Rodrigues in place of Cavin Lobo in the forward line and Nicolau Borges replaced Aiken Dias on the wing. The changes clearly showed Dempo’s attacking ambitions.
In the opening exchanges Nicolau produced a majestic last ditch block to deny Goa Velha’s Josten Lourenco from scoring.
Dempo took the lead in 56th minute when Johnny D’Cruz played a through ball for Clifton Gonsalves and he rolled the ball across goal for Joe Rodrigues to score.
Three minutes later Johnny crossed from the right and Godwin Franco helped the ball on, before Clifton dispatched into the back of the net.
In the 62nd minute Joe crossed from the right and Clifton slammed home his second.
Four minutes later Clifton repaid the favour, as he unselfishly passed to Joe to score his second and Dempos’ fourth of the match.
Six minutes from the end Goa Velha’s Randell Dias cross was beautifully controlled by Trevor Dias and Substitute Elvis Lopes smashed the ball against the crossbar and into the net to give Goa Velha something to cheer about.
Dempo have now collected 25 points from 12 outings, while Goa Velha stay on five points from 12 matches. Dempo’s two remaining matches are against title contenders Churchill Brothers and Sporting Clube de Goa.
