MAPUSA: Relegation sword continued to hang on Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim as they went down to Dempo Sports Club by a solitary goal in the Goa Professional League match played at Duler Stadium, here on Tuesday.
The win helped Dempo to retain their second position in the league with 41 points from 18 matches, while Cavelossim are at the bottom of the table with just 16 points from 20 outings.
Cavelossim coach Severino Fernandes brought in striker Semson Fernandes, midfielder Ralfh Fernandes and defender Aaron Antao in the starting XI following their 1-1 draw against Goan FC in the last round match, whereas, Dempo had two changes to their side which were held by Guardian Angel SC in the last match as U-20 defender Edwin Viegas made his debut in the GPL, while Jaison Vaz also made into the cut for the Golden Eagles.
Dempo had a golden chance to take the lead in the 13th minute when Kapil Hoble set up Latesh Mandrekar in front of an empty goal with a fine cross but the midfielder failed to keep his header on the target.
At the other end, Cavelossim also had an opportunity to stun the opponents in the 35th minute when Semson nicely curled the ball to Alvito Miranda in the box but the striker’s header missed the target by a whisker.
Dempo gaffer Samir brought in Joaquim Abranches to replace Latesh Mandrekar at the half-time to sharpen them in the final third.
Five minutes later, Dempo had the best chance to take the lead when Beevan D’Mello made a through pass to Abranches but the just-in striker shot wide from inside with just the Cavelossim keeper Razak Devsor at the stake.
Dempo finally broke the deadlock in the 75th minute when Abranches shot past Cavelossim keeper Razak from the inside of the box after receiving a perfect through pass from Beevan to make it 1-0 for the Golden Eagles.
Dempo had an opportunity to double their lead in the 85th minute when their skipper Nickson Castanha made a curling cross to Beevan in the box but his header from close went just over the crossbar.
