Team Herald
OLD GOA/ NAVELIM/ UTORDA: Dempo Sports Club consolidated their position at the top with 38 points from 16 games following their impressive 2-1 win over youngsters Panjim Footballers in the Goa Football Association Goa Professional League match played at DSC Academy ground, Old Goa, on Thursday.
Velsao Sports and Cultural Club put up a notable performance against struggling FC Bardez with a 5-0 win, Sporting Club de Goa were held to a frustrating draw by Guardian Angel Sports Club at Navelim ground.
10-man Dempo SC win
Despite being a man down in the 40th minute, Dempo Sports Club managed to grab full points when it looked like they had to settle for a point.
The Golden Eagles took the lead in the 22nd minute through Pedro Gonsalves and being in a commanding position in the game, Dempo SC looked like they would easily script the win. But in the 40th minute, Naveen Mandes received his second yellow card, following his first booking in the 12th minute, which saw the five-time National champions being reduced to 10 men. Panjim came back strongly in the second session and taking numerical advantage they scored the equalising goal in the 51st minute through Daryl Costa. However, experience and quality was the highlight of the day as the Dempo SC players didn’t give up till the very end and waited on counters to try and get the match-winner. In the 85th minute, Kirtikesh Gadekar scored the second for Dempo SC. Clive Colaco was the other Dempo SC player to go into the referee’s books. Joel Colaco and Mahesh Kumar of Panjim Footballers were also booked for rough play.
Nima stars for Velsao
At Sports Authority of Goa ground, Utorda, a Nima Lepcha brilliance helped Velsao SCC grab full points following his splendid quadruple against Bardez FC.
The early minutes of the game saw both the teams begin the game on a cautious note, but the home side soon took control of the game and took the lead in the 39th minute through Nima Lepcha. The winners led 1-0 at the break.
Crossing over, it was all Velsao affair as Lepcha completed his hat-trick.
The second goal came in the 48th minute when Remy played a pass to Leny, who overlapped him on the right wing, and the latter played in a perfect right foot curling assist to Nima, who hit a beautiful half-volley. It was Leny once again with another assist as another cross from the right flank was pushed into the goal by Lepcha to complete his hat-trick. Velsao dominated the play and almost scored their fourth within minutes when Remy tried a long shot from a distance, only to see it hit the post and comeback into the play.
The home side scored the fourth goal through Nima, when he met Remy’s cross to complete his quadruple. Laiwang Bohman, who otherwise missed many chances in the game finally got on to the score sheet with a 77th minute strike Velsao now have 24 points from 21 games while Bardez are on 6.
Guardian Angel hold Sporting Clube
In another match at Rosary Navelim, Sporting Clube de Goa dropped points against Guardian Angel SC. Despite the draw, Sporting Clube de Goa are on 32 points from 14 games and the Curhorem side have 20 points from 18 games.
