Dempo survive Sporting scare

Dempo…2      Sporting…1

MARGAO, APRIL 22
Dempo Sports Club scored a narrow 2-1 win over Sporting Clube de Goa in the 22nd match of ONGC I-League at Nehru stadium, Fatorda on Thursday. Dempo were trailing 0-1 at half time.
The win consolidated Dempo’s position at the  top with 44 points from 22 matches while Sporting are at the bottom with 20 points from 22 matches.
Man-of-the match Roberto Mendes da Silva was the hero of the day scoring two goals for Dempo in the second half, with the match-winner coming in the last minute.
Sporting went ahead in the 22nd minute when midfielder Adil Khan’s smart header found the net off a free kick from Bisheshwor Singh.  After the lemon break, Dempo could have levelled the score in the 49th minute but midfielder Clifford Miranda wasted a gilt edged scoring opportunity from a  Joaquim Abranches cross.
Dempo found the equalizer in the 50th minute through a solo effort from Roberto, who beat a host of rival defenders after accepting a pass from a throw-in from Valeriano Rebello. He raced into the box and beat the rival goalkeeper with a stiff grounder.
Dempo could have found the match-winner late in the second half but substitute Nicolau Borges was the culprit, as he blasted wide off a well measured cross from Roberto.
The match was destined for a draw, when Roberto scored the match-winner as he headed in a cross to give Dempo full points and move closer to clinching the title for the fourth time.
Dempo chief coach Armando Colaco was elated after the match. He said: “It was overall a very good performance from my boys.  We played according to a plan. I am fully satisfied with the result.”
Despite the loss, Sporting coach Vishwas Gaunkar was pleased with his team’s performance. “We played a good game and I am satisfied with the outcome. Dempo are a strong team and it was not going to be easy beating them. Roberto’s equalizer surprised us and altered our plans.”