MARGAO: Substitute Romeo Fernandes’ first minute strike in injury time helped Dempo Sports Club hold Royal Wahingdoh FC in a 1-1 draw to remain unbeaten in their Group A league engagement of the 36th Hero Federation Cup match, at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, here, on Wednesday.
Royal Wahingdoh who came back strongly in the later part of the first half took the lead in the 36th minute through Bekay Bewar.
Dempo came back strongly in the later part of the second half after making their substitutions restored parity through substitute Romeo.
The Golden Eagles rested several key players in view of the semi-final clash against Salgaocar FC, on January 9.
With today’s draw, Dempo who had already qualified for the semi-final topped the table with 10 points from four matches. While Royal Wahingdoh FC finished third with four points from four matches.
Sporting Clube de Goa, who finished second with six points from four matches have qualified along with Dempo from Group A.
Santosh Kashyap’s team have put up tremendous performance in this tournament and conceeded last minute goals in the last two matches which saw their exit.
Jackichand Singh, who has been a stand out for the team along with Bekay Bawar and defender Loveday Okechukwu took time to settle down and as the match they probed more often with Densill Theobald creating opening and after coming close to scoring twice took the lead in the 36th minute.
Jackichand pounced on the defensive lapse on the path of defender Sameer Naik and raced into the box and squared to Bekay Bawar, who sent in a stiff grounder into the back of the net, 1-0.
Dempo coach Arthur Papas finally made couple of changes, bringing in Clifford Miranda and Romeo Fernandes and they nearly found the equalizer after a set piece move in the 87th minute but Romeo Fernandes who was put in the clear inside the box shot the all out of target.
Minute later, Romeo’s shot from top of the box was well collected by rival keeper Nikhil Bernard.
Dempo finally found the equaliser in the first minute of the injury time when a forward pass by Romeo Fernandes from the middle saw the rival keeper Nikhil Bernard clash with Clifford Miranda as he came out to foil him and with keeper lying down on the ground Romeo pounced on the loose ball, beat rival defender Loveday to find the back of the net.
Thereafter, Dempo kept on the pressure in the last ten minutes before the break and Seityasen Singh and Jackichand Singh had a chance to double the lead but rival keeper Bruno Colaco did well to make good saves.
