MAPUSA, OCT 31
rnA dazzling second half free kick from Beto ensured Dempo salvaged a point as they drew 2-2 with Vasco Club in Kingfisher Pro League at Duler stadium, here on Sunday. Vasco led 2-1 at the interval.
rnOne minute into the second half, Vasco defender Julius Akpele was shown the red card on his debut, for a deliberate handball preventing a goal scoring opportunity.
rnOn any other day, Vasco coach Gavin Araujo would probably be happy with a point against the mighty Dempo, considering he had four first team players suspended, but having seen his side take the lead twice in the match, a point would have been a bitter pill to swallow.
rnThe Vasco midfield quartet made up of Sachin Gawas, Jose Colaco, Basilio Rego and Joel Sequeira worked efficiently especially when they were reduced to ten men.
rnDempo were shocked with Vasco’s resilience. Beto and Kalu had a quiet game by their standards. The defence also struggled on occasions to cope with Koko Sakibo’s pace as he wreaked havoc.
rnIn the 24th minute, Vasco forward Koko Sakibo, who was captain for the day burst through on the right side and neatly tucked past Dempo custodian Luis Baretto to give Vasco a surprise lead.
rnThe goal awoke a sleeping giant and within seven minutes Dempo were level. Nicolau Borges crossed from the right side for Joshua Vaz to head home the equaliser.
rnFour minutes before the breather, with a licence to roam, King Koko dribbled down the right before crossing for teammate Joel Sequeira to tap in and restore Vasco’s lead.
rnJust before half time Vasco replaced striker Alvito Miranda with Manguesh Borotekar.
rnAt the start of the second half Julius was given his marching orders for the handball. Vasco decided to push Manguesh from the forward line into the right back position with Koko left as the lone striker.
rnWith their opponents reduced to ten men, Dempo started to push forward with more urgency. They were rewarded for their efforts when Beto curled in a free kick over the Vasco wall beating Vasco goalkeeper Milagrio Maderia in the 56th minute.
rnFor the remaining half an hour, Dempo continued to exert pressure, but Vasco kept frustrating them. In the later stages, the match started to turn a little ugly with challenges flying in from both sides. In the end both teams had to be content with a point each.Dempo move to 18 points from nine matches while Vasco have collected 10 points from eight outings.
