Guardian Angel stun Dempo SC

Team Herald

sports@herald-goa.com

PANJIM: Guardian Angel Sports Club stunned Dempo Sports Club 2-1 in the Goa Professional League match played at Rosary ground, Navelim, on Thursday.

Alvito Miranda (87th minute) and Allwyn Vaz (90th minute) scored two late goals for the Curchorem side to nullify Dempo SC’s Jaison Vaz’s first half strike.

“The team played very well in the second half and they are improving match after match. The team is combining well and we hope to display same spirit in our next matches. It’s an achievement for Guardian Angel to beat a club like Dempo,” said Guardian Angel SC coach Riston Rodrigues.

Guardian Angel SC started the match on an attacking front and had three glorious chances in the first fifteen minutes of the game, but much to their dismay, their strikers fired wide on all three occasions. First, Allwyn was straight at goal with just the rival keeper Tyson Caido at his mercy but the striker shot wide. Then Perryson Rebello had a replay of Allwyn’s miss. In the 15th minute, Yakubu played Mickey Vaz through and the latter was set straight at goal but the lad fumbled under pressure shooting way off target.

Guardian Angel SC were punished for their missed chances when Dempo SC’s Jaisaon Vaz shot from a distance which brushed off keeper Ozen Silva’s hands before crashing into the nets. Dempo SC had their chances too through but Joaquim Abranches, Jessel and Jaison, but Ozen Silva’s brilliance under Guardian Angel SC bar kept his team in the game. The former Sesa Academy keeper pulled series of saves to frustrate the opponents.

In the second half, both teams resumed from where they had left from as it was an end to end affair for the spectators.

In the 72nd minute, Guardian Angel’s Precio D’Souza went into the referee’s books for his reckless tackle on a Dempo SC player. Coach Riston Rodrigues didn’t waste time as he replaced Precio, who earlier had a silent evening, introducing Alvito Miranda in the same minute.

Moments later, Guardian Angel SC were awarded with a penalty when Yakubu’s shot came off the arm of a Dempo SC defender in the box and referee made no hesitation in pointing towards the spot. But, Guardian Angel SC failed to make the best use of the opportunity as Alvito’s effort was brilliantly saved by Tyson Caido.

The introduction of Alvito and Clinton Niasso, who replaced Nicholas Rodrigues earlier, breathe new life in the Guardian Angel camp

At the other end, Dempo SC came close to inflating their lead through Jaison and Pruthwesh but Ozen Silva came with outstanding saves to deny both of them.

Finally in the 87th minute, Alvito Miranda, made amends to his earlier penalty miss with a rasping 25-yard strike that gave no chance for the Golden Eagles keeper Tyson.

Guardian Angel SC scored the match-winner in the 90th minute when Allen crossed a perfect delivery in the box from the right flank which was met by Allwyn with a clean header to give Guardian Angel their second win of the season.