Dempo edge past Churchill
u-19 i-league
HERALD SPORTS REPORTER
MAPUSA, MAY 13
Dempo Sports Club overcame Musli Power Churchill Brothers by a solitary goal in Under-19 I-League football tournament, at Duler stadium, here, on Thursday.
Dempo were leading at the breather through a Terence Fernandes goal in the 32nd minute.
Sporting Clube de Goa leads the group with seven points while Dempo Sports Club and Musli Power Churchill Brothers have four points from three outings. Only two teams will qualify from this group for the second phase to be held in Kolkata later this month.
Dempo knew that they had to win today’s encounter to stay in for next round qualification.
Churchill could have qualified for the next round if they had won the match. Unfortunately, Churchill did not play with any conviction as fatigue seems to have hit the team, having played three matches in the last five days.
Churchill now face a tough tie against leaders Sporting Clube de Goa in their final match.
Dempo began the proceedings with a good note, with Jorex Fernandes partnering Terence upfront keeping up the pace.
In the 12th minute, Aiken Dias saw his shot saved by Churchill custodian Floyd Dias.
At the other end, Churchill’s Nicholas Fernandes missed a good opportunity by firing the shot over the bar.
In the 32nd minute, Terence was at his best to score the all-important goal for his team by giving no chance for the rival goalkeeper to stop.
Stung by the goal, Churchill upped the tempo and started attacking into the rival camp but could not penetrate the rival defence.
Changing over, Churchill came up with renewed ideas to find an equaliser. In the process, Mariano Fernandes missed a brilliant chance by firing wide.
In the 73rd minute, Romeo came close with a long range effort for Dempo. With 12 minutes for the final whistle, Dempo’s substitute Aaron Fernandes produced a wonderful long-range cross for Terence but the latter’s header went wide. In the final attempt, Churchill tried in earnest to salvage a point but could not get it.
