TEAM HERALD
MAPUSA: Dempo Sports Club breezed past Sesa Football Academy 2-1 in Airtel Goa Pro League (Super League) match at Duler Stadium, here, Sunday.
Dempo led 1-0 at the breather.
Young Mandar Rao Dessai gave Dempo the lead in the 18thminute while Jewel Raja scored the second after resumption. Sesa substitute Chukwudi Chukwuma scored a consolation in the 73rd minute.
Dempo move up to the third place in the table standing with 20 points while Sesa remain on 13 points.
The academy boys started with full of energy and drive with striker Yogesh Kadam creating the first threat within five minutes but his rasping volley was easily saved by Dempo keeper Laxmikant Kattimani.
At the other end, Dempo received a setback in the seventh minute after defender Shallum Pires left the field on the stretcher following a knee injury.
Coach Arthur Papas then brought in Pronay Halder in place of Shallum as Samir Naik moved from the left to the right of defence. The Golden Eagles got into a rhythm and surged ahead in the 18th minute when Allwyn George sent in a delightful through ball to Mandar and the left-winger finished with a powerful left-footer past Sesa custodian Thockchom Singh.
As the match progressed, Dempo were in total control but goalkeeper Thockchom was up to the challenge. First, blocking Jewel Raja’s close range header and then denying Joy Ferrao in a one-to-one situation before the break.
Sesa needed to step up to the rival challenge and technical advisor Clifford Chukwuma made two changes at half time, replacing Gammy Costa and Myran Pereira with Chukwudi and Girish Naik respectively.
Dempo’s U-20 Tunard Fernandes made way for Romeo Fernandes and the speedy winger got involved quickly with a deft grounder that missed the mark by inches.
At the hour mark, goalkeeper Thockchom came up with two quick reflexes, denying Joy and Romeo from hand-shaking distance off a dangerous cross provided by Mandar.
In the 68th minute, Dempo finally doubled their lead through Jewel, who unleashed a venomous strike that found the top corner of the framework.
However, Chukwudi pulled on goal back in the 73rd minute with a clinical strike off an assist from Yogesh.
Sesa went all-out in final quarter and could have also levelled terms when Yogesh set up Chukwudi in an ideal position but the striker could not connect neatly.
Romeo could have made it 3-1 for Dempo but his rasping out of the box effort kissed the crossbar in the final minute of regulation time.
Mandar was adjudged man-of-the-match while Jewel received the goal of the day award. Brenda Fernandes was the fan of the day based on lucky ticket number and received the match ball signed by Mandar.
