Team Herald
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MARGAO: Dempo Sports Club beat Minerva Academy FC 2-1 in the AIFF Second Division I-League Western Conference match at Tilak Maidan, Vasco on Sunday.
Beevan D’Mello scored in the very 2nd minute while Milgares Gonsalves doubled the lead in the second half for The Golden Eagles in the 61st minute. Sehijpal Singh scored late in the 88th minute for the Chandigarh team.
Dempo SC were lucky to sustain the lead in the final 10 minutes of the game as the visiting team Minerva Academy FC could have almost scored the equaliser but Sehijpal’s long range strike was denied by the crossbar in the injury time.
Dempo SC started off and strike like lightning. Steven Fernandes initial cross was brilliantly laid by Nickson Castanha to Beevan for a simple tap-in to give the host an early lead.
Down by the goal, Minerva Academy FC regrouped to find the equaliser with Prabjot Singh and Jagpreet Singh dominating the midfield with excellent passing and constant runs down the flanks but the visitors couldn’t exceed beyond Dempo SC’s defence. Both the keepers had a calm first half, as both the teams restricted their play in the midfield.
Crossing over, Minerva Academy FC dominated the proceedings with Manvir Singh testing the keeper in couple of occasion. At the other end, Dempo SC doubled their lead through Milagres in the 61st minute.
It was Steven Dias’ cross once again that built up Dempo SC’s goal to double their lead. Steven’s curling cross from the left flank was brilliantly headed by the former Kerala Blasters player that gave no room for the rival keeper Sayan Roy.
Minutes later, Minerva Academy FC keeper Sayan pulled out an excellent save to deny Nickson on one-on-one situation. The visitors continued their efforts in search of a goal and finally scored in the 88th minute off Sehijpal strike, before the medio’s effort kissed the bar in the injury time.
With this win, Dempo SC have 12 points, just a point behind leaders Minerva Academy FC.
“I appreciate the boys. They played well and a win is a good result for us. We had a decent first half but Minerva Academy played well in the second half,” said Dempo SC coach Mauricio Afonso.
