Dezlon stars for St Mathew

MAPUSA, FEB 2
Dazzling Dezlon Antao scored the all-important goal in the 26th minute to give St Mathew Sports Club of Azossim a 1-0 victory over Merces Sports Club in GFA’s Second Division at DSYA ground, Santa Cruz on Wednesday.
Three minutes from the end, Merces custodian Floyd da Merces Joao was shown the red card by referee Anthony Vaz, for deliberately kicking an opponent. His replacement Shawn Joao miraculously saved the resulting penalty from Stanley Pires.
The match kicked off fifteen minutes late, but once it started it was definitely worth waiting for as both teams were eager to earn their first points of the season after a recent spell of losses.
Salvador Gracias did well for St Mathew getting up and down the field and putting in some dangerous crosses until he was utilised in the centre of the midfield.
The experienced Merces midfield did well to hold up the ball, but they lacked the pace to keep up with their opponents. After they conceded the goal, substitute Kiran Kari was brought on and Pedro Araujo was moved from the centre forward position to the midfield to inject some pace.
In the 26th minute, a long looping free kick was played into the Merces area and Dezlon reacted quickest, to chip the ball over the advancing Merces keeper.
After the change of ends, the pace and intensity of the game seemed to drop.
St Mathew has now collected three points from four matches, while Merces are yet to open their account after four matches.