MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club staged a remarkable comeback in the second half to hold Sporting Clube de Goa to a 2-2 draw in the AIFF U 18 Youth League played at Duler Stadium, here on Tuesday.
Sporting were leading 1-0 at half time through Rohit Totad who provided the finishing touches to a well laid pass by Irfan in the 10th minute.
Sporting should have doubled their lead in the 37th minute when Irfan was brought down inside the penalty box by skipper Nikhil Gurung. However Irfan who took the responsibility saw his spot kick being smartly saved by Dempo keeper Wellyster.
On crossing over in the 50th minute, Sporting were awarded a penalty when Dempo’s Desmond Fernandes brought down Arjun Colaco from behind. Lloyd Mascarenhas who stepped forward did not make any mistake with his placement, 2-0.
Stung by the goal, Dempo fought back and pulled one back in the very next minute through Kiman Fernandes header from a cross by Rajat Harijan, 2-1
Dempo kept pressurising their opponents and finally found the much needed equaliser in the 75th minute through Norman Dias whose well timed shot from a pass by Aaron Alvares had no answer by the rival keeper, 2-2.
Dempo nearly struck the match winning goal just five minutes before the final whistle but unluckily Kimran`s power packed shot ricocheted of the crossbar and went out to the relief of the Sporting teammates and dugout.
