Team Herald
PANJIM: Dempo Sports Club came from behind to beat Ambernath United FC 2-1 in a Second Division I-League match at the Academy ground, Ela-Old Goa on Sunday.
With this crucial victory that broke a series of two goalless draws for the Golden Eagles, coach Samir Naik’s side moved up level on points with leaders ARA Football Club, who have a better goal difference, with eight points after four matches.
Playing their third match inside five days, Dempo pulled off a tremendous fightback as they scored twice in the second half via captain Shallum Pires and Necio Fernandes after they had fallen behind in the first half through a fine free-kick by Ambernath United’s Ashley Koli.
Dempo SC started well and dominated ball possession in the opponent’s half. But they failed to test the rival goalkeeper Yasheel Shah in the first half.
The first chance for Dempo came in the 15th minute when Necio had the goal in sight but his shot sailed way over the crossbar from inside the 18-yard-box. A couple of minutes later, Ambernath scored against the run of play after defender Mohamed Ali was penalised for a foul and in the resultant free-kick from 22 yards, Ashley curled his effort beyond the wall to penetrate the Dempo citadel.
A stunned Dempo side continued to work hard but were falling short of ideas in the final third. Not making the early passes, was one of Dempo’s shortcomings, but on one occasion, midfielder Gourav Kankonkar could have made the most of an aerial ball as he rose high around the penalty area, but his chest control let him down.
Minutes into the second half, Ambernath United wasted a simple chance to increase their lead as Arif Shaikh got into a bit of tangle in the six-yard box and ran too close to Dempo goalie Dylan, who was quick to grab the ball.
Dempo kept hunting for the equaliser, switching the attack from flank to flank as substitute Vieri Colaco injected pace into the build-up. Defender Shallum Pires took up advanced positions as generally the Dempo defence line moved to bolster the attack.
It was following a counter-attack that resulted in a corner-kick, the Golden Eagles logged in the equaliser in the 51st minute. Necio floated the ball from right and it dipped perfectly for Shallum to strike a first-time volley that totally beat Ambernath United goalkeeper Yasheel Shah.
Dempo upped the ante after the leveller with relentless attacks in search of the winner, that came through Necio. The Dempo Academy product opened his scoring account in the league with a looping header from close range after Ambernath United custodian could not latch on the industrious forward Beneston Barretto’s powerful shot from an acute angle at the hour mark, and Dempo took 2-1 lead.
Ambernath United chased with all their endeavour, but failed to score. First, from a great position in the box, Bersal Viegas shot straight at rival goalkeeper Dylan; and then off a free-kick by Aaron D’Costa, captain Nishant Shetty’s header missed the target with minutes to go for the final whistle.
