Team Herald
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PANJIM: Dempo Sports Club clinched a narrow 2-1 win over Clube de Salgaocar in the Goa Professional League Super League match played at Nagoa panchayat ground, on Tuesday.
Dempo SC broke the deadlock midway through the first half after Laximanrao Rane was brought down just outside the box. Arnold Oliveira’s curling free-kick forced a save from Sanij Bugde, but the rebound fell kindly to Nestor Dias, who made no mistake from close range.
Moments later, Dempo SC doubled their lead with a slick attacking move. Arnold rolled a precise cutback to the edge of the box, where Beckham Dias took a clean first touch before smashing his shot past the Clube de Salgaocar goalkeeper to make it 2-0.
Clube de Salgaocar pulled one back in the second half after sustained pressure. Isac Zomuanpuia lofted a teasing ball into the box for Royal Oliveira, whose clever chest control beat the advancing goalkeeper. Though, Rahul Rodrigues cleared the initial danger off the line, Akeraj Martins reacted quickest to tap in the rebound.
Dempo SC piled on the pressure in the final third in search of an early breakthrough and nearly found one through Mevan Dias.
The forward pounced on a poor backpass from Clube de Salgaocar’s Reezvon Fernandes intended for goalkeeper Sanij Bugde, who was caught off his line. Mevan’s interception rolled dangerously toward goal, but Bugde recovered swiftly to smother the loose ball and spare his teammate’s blushes.
At the other end, Clube de Salgaocar threatened through Brian Faria, who lofted a long ball into the path of Boinao Singh near the edge of the box. Boinao brought it down smartly and fired a shot on goal, but Dempo SC left-back Stenis was alert to the danger and made a crucial block to deny the effort.
Clube de Salgaocar pushed hard for the equaliser but the Dempo SC defence held firm to seal their side a 2-1 win.