MAPUSA: New entrant FC Bardez put up a stellar performance to hold the mighty Dempo Sports Club to a goalless draw in the Group C cluster of the Goa Police Cup, organized by Goa Police Sports Cell in association with Vasco Sports Club and GFA, at Duler Stadium, here, on Monday.
It was a fine display by the defence of both sides, who cut off the moves of their rivals in the bud, to finish of the match 0-0.
The new entrants showed they meant business and are not to be taken for granted and under the guidance of coach Armando Colaco, their prospects look quite bright in the ongoing tournament.
Their defence, marshalled by Rowilson Rodrigues and Mathew Gonsalves gave little chance to the Azuris to penetrate through.
Dempo SC were awarded a free kick in the early 5th minute of play where Shallum Pires’s strike moved to Felix Chidi, however the Nigerians header missed the target narrowly.
At the other end, FC Bardez received a free kick, however Jessel Carneiro’s strike sailed just past the Dempo SC goal.
After some midfield play, Myron Mendes saw his blistering 25-yard shot go inches past the Dempo SC goal.
Moments before the halftime whistle, FC Bardez came teasingly close to breaking the deadlock when Myron Mendes strike from inside the danger zone was blocked by Dempo SC keeper Tyson Caido, where Latesh Mandrekar and Alesh Sawant’s effort from the rebound was kept away on the goalline by defender Nickson Castana.
The Dempo SC outfit took the second session with more vigour where in the 1st minute itself Dempo SC charged into the FC Bardez citadel and set up Felix Odili Chidi whose effort from close range was kept away by the diving keeper Mirshad K.
Couple of minutes later, Felix once again came close to putting Dempo SC into the lead, however he ballooned the ball over on entering the FC Bardez danger zone.
In the next minute, Alesh Sawant charged down the left flank and set up Richard Costa whose hot blooded shot banged the Dempo SC horizontal bar.
