PANJIM: Panjim Footballers managed to hold Dempo Sports Club to a goalless draw in the Goa Football Association Goa Professional League, at Dempo SC Academy ground, at Ella –Old Goa, on Friday.
In a keenly contested battle both sides were on equal footings from the first whistle.
However, Panjim were first to test the oppostion keeper when Llyod Cardozo dribbled past Dempo defender Shallum Pires and on entering the box smashed a perfect shot but the effort had an equal answer from Dempo custodian Luis Barreto who kept the ball out of the goal.
At the other end, Dempo almost broke the deadlock when Latesh on getting a pass in the box smashed a first time shot which hit the post and came back into the play.
Panjim Footballers managed to hold the table-topper for major part of the game and had a glorious opportunity to surge ahead when they were awarded a penalty just before the breather.
Dempo SC defender Fulganco Cardozo fumbled at the back and Panjim’s Lloyd snatched the ball from the former FC Goa defender and entered the box only to see him brought down in the box by Luis Barreto.
Akash stepped over but his poorly taken penalty kick was easily saved by the keeper Luis.
In the second half, using his pace Suraj entered the box and took an aim at the goal but his effort took a deflection off a Panjim Footballer’s player and was cleanly swallowed by the Panjim keeper Preston Rego.
At the other end, Panjim’s Llyod once against tested Luis with a left foot strike which was punched towards safety by the keeper.
Dempo SC came close to scoring in the second half when Suraj’s free-kick found Beevan but the latter’s header narrowly missed the mark.
Preston Rego came up with a stunning save to deny Pedro whose header was in the frame off a Suraj’s effort.
Dempo SC’s Latesh had a golden opportunity to score when Suraj sprayed the ball from the right flank and a Panjim Footballers’ defender mistimed his clearance attempt and the ball fell to Latesh, who with only the keeper at his mercy, shot wide.
Panjim stopper back Kunal was outstanding in the game as he made it difficult for Beevan and Pedro upfront.
Panjim Footballers’ Chadan Gawas, playing on the right flank should have done better as the lad did everything right most of the time but took time in playing crosses in the box. The draw leaves Dempo SC without a win in the last three games while there will be plenty of positives from the game for the young Sporting Clube de Goa academy boys playing for Panjim Footballers.
