MARGAO: Cortalim and Sesa locked horns in a 1-1 draw at Nagoa ground. Chaitan Dabholkar’s early screamer for Sesa was met with Vikram Venkatachalam’s late strike for Cortalim, ignited by a blistering run down the flank. Both defenses stood firm in the second half despite a flurry of yellow cards, leaving the title race wide open and tensions high.
Cortalim started strong, threatening the Sesa goal, but it was Dabholkar who silenced them with a 10th-minute strike. Cortalim roared back, with Venkatachalam and Dias testing the Sesa keeper. Then, just before halftime, Venkatachalam turned warrior, charging down the flank and blasting a shot into the net, sending the crowd wild. The second half was a midfield battle, with Dias and Cortalim’s defense holdin<g firm against Sesa’s late push.
Meanwhile, Dempo’s golden wings were clipped at Ella ground, drawing 1-1 with Vasco SC. Despite their recent thrashing of the same team, the Golden Eagles couldn’t soar to victory, and their league lead remains precarious.
Aaron Barreto’s first-half strike initially lifted Dempo’s spirits, but Vasco clawed back through Meitei’s opportunistic finish in the second. Dempo sputtered, missing key chances from Arnold and others, ultimately settling for a disappointing draw.
With 26 points from 13 games, Dempo still lead the table, but Pax of Nagoa and Sporting Goa lurk, just two and three points behind respectively. Vasco sit mid-table at 11 points.
