Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
PANJIM: Dempo Sports Club emerged winners of the North Zone Goa Football Association U-14 League following their narrow 1-0 win over Goan Football Club at Dempo Academy ground, Ella-Old Goa, on Friday.
Topon Mirj scored the match-winner in the second half injury time.
Dempo SC’s Topon and Vaibhav Naik –both came to scoring but one saw his shot sail over the bar while the other’s effort was saved by the rival custodian.
In the second half, the young Eagles played more attacking game as coach Pradip Chopdekar made two changes introducing Rabi Pun in place of Asmon Viegas and Naythan Coutinho in place of Leethan Silveira.
In the 70+2 minute, Naythan Coutinho played a perfect cross to Topon Mirj who sent the entire Dempo camp into rupture when he headed home from close. Dempo SC will play the winners of South Zone in the State final.
Dempo Sports Club coach Pradip Chopdekar said, “I am delighted with the team performance. We will put in our best to defend our title in the State final.”
“We missed 7 players for the Junior I-League and missed out on qualification for the final round but I hope we can win the GFA league and redeem our pride,” added Chopdekar.
