MAPUSA: Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim and Dempo Sports Club played a goalless draw, in GFA’s Goa Professional League, round seven football match, at Duler Stadium, here, Friday.
Cavelossim have 13 points and are in the third spot in the stadnigns while Dempo have 11 points and are placed fourth.
Cavelossim were without centre-back Nevil Miranda, who was serving suspension while Balwinder Singh filled in the spot. Head coach Severino Fernandes started with James Fernandes and Estevan Mendes upfront.
Dempo were without their key striker Tolgay Ozbey and Uttam Rai was given the opportunity by coach Mauricio Afonso to partner Joy Ferrao in the attack. Young Alesh Sawant, the I-League winner with Churchill Bros was on the bench for Dempo after his transfer from the Varca-based side.
The kick-off was delayed by 10 minutes from its scheduled time of 4 p.m. after Dempo delayed to submit their player identity cards to the match officials.
Dempo created the first move forward with Sahil Tavora combining well with Nickson Castanha to set up onrushing Joy but the latter’s effort missed the target narrowly.
Minutes later, the match was halted due to bad light as referee Sunil Nanodkar took opinions from fourth official Tejas Nagvekar and the team captains but soon, the play resumed.
Cavelossim created a good move at the half hour mark as left winger Marcus Fernandes wonderfully set up James inside the box but Dempo defender Nicolau Borges came up with a timely tackle.
Post resumption, Alesh came in place of Darryl Endro as The Golden Eagles continued in search of the opener.
However, a miss kick by Dempo keeper Bruno Colaco in the 61st minute could cost them dearly as the ball fell to Estevan inside the box. The striker tried to set up James but Dempo skipper Mahesh Gawli intercepted on time.
At the other end, Uttam blasted over his half volley with only rival custodian Ram Sroop at his mercy. The Cavelossim custodian was simply outstanding and frustrated the rival attacks time and again.
