RAIA: Dempo Sports Club displayed a commanding performance to score a resounding 4-1 win over Maharashtra Oranje FC in a thrilling encounter of the I-League 2, at Ella ground, Old Goa, on Saturday.
The goal scorers for Dempo SC were Rahul Paswan, Basanta Singh, an own goal by Maharashtra Oranje FC (scored by Yash), and Sanwil from a penalty kick, while Aimar Adam scored for Maharashtra Oranje FC.
From the onset, Dempo SC exhibited attacking prowess, with Shubam Rawat nearly breaking the deadlock in the 11th minute. His powerful strike off a Rahul Paswan cross struck the Maharashtra Oranje FC Oranje crossbar, only to be denied by an impressive save from Maharashtra Oranje FC Goalkeeper Prathik Jadhav. However, Dempo SC’s relentless pressure bore fruit in the 30th minute when Jadhav’s mishandling of a backpass from Yash gifted Paswan an opportunity to calmly slot the ball into the net, giving Dempo SC a deserved 1-0 lead.
Dempo SC’s momentum continued as they doubled their advantage just before halftime with a well-crafted team goal. S Doungle’s relentless pressing in the final third resulted in a turnover, with K Buam threading a precise pass to Pruthvesh. The winger delivered a pinpoint cross into the box, which Basanta Singh expertly converted to extend Dempo SC’s lead to 2-0.
Despite Maharashtra Oranje FC showing signs of resurgence in the second half, Dempo SC remained resolute. Goalkeeper S Roy produced a crucial save in the 60th minute to deny Sanchit during a one-on-one situation. However, Maharashtra Oranje FC managed to pull one back in the 62nd minute when Sanchit capitalised on a Dempo SC corner, setting up Aimar Adam for a clinical finish to narrow the deficit to 1-2.
Dempo SC, however, swiftly regained control of the proceedings. In the 83rd minute, a long ball from Roy caused chaos in the Maharashtra Oranje FC defence, with Yash inadvertently heading the ball into his own net, furthering Dempo SC’s lead to 3-1. The win was sealed in the 88th minute when Maharashtra Oranje FC’s Kuivao brought down Dempo SC’s Pajuh inside the box, leading to a penalty which was confidently dispatched by Sanwil, extending Dempo SC’s lead to 4-1.
