MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club grounded ten-man Curtorim Gymkhana 2-0 in a round two fixture of the Goa Pro League, at Duler Stadium, here, on Friday. There was no score at half time.
Dempo SC fielded Beevan D’Mello and Uttam Rai upfront and the duo kept the rival defenders on their toes.
Curtorim Gymkhana custodian Mohamad Shaikh came up with an early close range save denying Uttam but the as the match progressed, Mohammad was unfortunate to receive a direct red card from referee Sainath Aldonkar in the 19th minute as a fine through ball by Velito Cruz saw Uttam’s goal bound effort handled by onrushing Mohamad outside the 18-yard box.
In the given circumstances, Treyson D’Costa was sacrificed in place of substitute keeper Joseph Rodrigues. The latter was soon tested as he parried away Velito’s free-kick but the ball hit the crossbar and fell to Dempo SC defender Mohammad Ali, who tapped in from close only to be flagged off-side by referees assistant Sunil Nanodkar.
Then onwards, it was one-way traffic as Dempo SC passed the ball with ease from one end to other.
Curtorim Gymkhana did create an opening before the break as Xavier Dias sent in a through ball to Josly Costa but centre-back Chika Wali came up with a timely clearance.
Post resumption the trend continued as Beevan missed a header while substitute Germanpreet Singh saw his two efforts go wide.
The match sparked to life at the hour mark when Curtorim Gymkhana’s Clifton Fernandes sent in a dangerous low cross to Hanslum Furtado but the striker’s promising right-footer missed the target narrowly.
Curtorim Gymkhana defended bravely but their citadel fell in the 68th minute as Uttam headed in from close range.
Minutes later, Beevan had a golden opportunity to double the lead but shot agonizingly over the crossbar with only the rival custodian at his mercy.
Germanpreet finally scored the second goal for Dempo SC in the 75th minute with a scorching long ranger.
