Team Herald
MAPUSA: An Amar Haldankar own goal helped Dempo to pip Calangute Association in the inaugural match of the 1st AWES Cup, organised by the Association for the Wellbeing of Elder Sportsperson in association with Goa Football Association (GFA) played at Duler Stadium, Mapusa, on Friday.
Dempo were seen with many changes in the squad as newly signed defender Mathew Gonsalves, Yogesh Kadam, Olan Chandran and striker Latesh Mandrekar were the part of the starting XI. While Calangute’s coach Alex Alvares introduced Myron Fernandes, Joston Pereira and Amar in Calangute jersey.
Calangute had an early opportunity to go into the lead when Myron came up with an excellent cross from the left to find the unmarked Joston in the box but the front-man shot wide instead of directing it into the goal from close. Just after the first attack.
In the 20th minute, Dempo went into the lead when Mario Mascarenhas’ corner hit defender Amar hand and the ball travelled in his own goal making it 1-0 for the Panjim based club.
On changing over, Calangute were the first one to see at the goal when Bonny Niasso dribbled past two defenders and sent a neat pass to Myron but the midfielder saw his shot blocked by the Dempo keeper Agnelo Gomes.
At the hour mark, Dempo came up with a counter attack when Mario cut past a defender and found freeman Beevan in a better position to place the ball into the goal, however, a diving effort from keeper Jason D’Mello denied Dempo front man’s curling shot from going in.
At the other end, Calangute players showed urgency to find the equaliser; lack of quality in finishing deceived the team. Joston had an opportunity to level back but the defender failed to direct his header in a goal and the ball went into the waiting hands of Dempo keeper Agnelo, off Barsel’s free-kick.
With time running out, Calangute coach Alvares brought in fresh legs replacing striker Omkar to sharpen his attacking, however, the substitute Jayesh Chopdekar could not perform to his caliber.
