MAPUSA: Defending champions Salgaocar FC were held to a goalless draw by Dempo Sports Club in the 16th round match of the Goa Pro League at Duler Stadium, here on Monday.
Their first leg encounter too met a similar fate with the match ending in a 1-1 draw. Dempo SC now are at the fourth position on the league table with 20 points whereas Salgaocar are at fifth position with 20 points.
The Green Brigade badly missed the services of their foreign imports Calvin Mbarga and Martin Scott, who had to watch the match from the stands as they are still nursing injuries. On the other hand, Dempo SC influential striker Beevan D’Mello too could not take on the field due to injury.
It was Dempo SC who had the first crack at the rival goal in the 4th minute when Velito Cruz accurately curled his free-kick towards unmarked Milagres Gonsalves only to see the latter heading the ball wide.
Within a few minutes, Jayson Lucas made a vicious run into the Salgaocar citadel only to send in a feeble strike which was coolly collected by keeper Naveen Kumar.
Salgaocar too had their share of chances to break the deadlock in the 17th minute. Aslon Oliviera sent a pinpoint cross to Umesh Harijan, who on getting the ball under his control unleashed a powerful strike which hit the defender before going for a corner.
Velito Cruz came with two threatening moves for Dempo SC at the half hour mark, where first his powerful long range effort was beautifully paired away by the diving keeper Naveen Kumar, and then in the next minute itself Velito charged down the left flank and sent a dangerous cross across the goal, only to see keeper Naveen get his hands to the ball before Dempo SC stopper back Chika Wali could do any damage. Minutes before the halftime whistle, Dempo SC Joy Ferrao saw his long range effort miss the target narrowly.
On crossing over, the teams resorted to midfield soccer with moves few and far between.
The only threatening move of the second half came in the 75th minute through Velito Cruz. However, his 25-yard effort was neatly collected by Salgaocar keeper Naveen.
Tuff Laxmi Prasad will take on Sporting Clube de Goa on December 23.
