MAPUSA: Salgaocar Football Club staring at possible defeat came back strongly to snatch a valuable point by holding Dempo Sport Club to a 2-2 draw in the Goa Professional League match organised by GFA, played at Duler Stadium, here on Saturday.
Dempo scored through Jessel Carneiro and Joaquim Abranches while Devendra Murgaonkar was the hero for Salgoacar netting both the goals.
In a keen tussle between two biggest arch rivals in Goan football, saw Dempo have an upper hand for majority of the first half and led through Jessel Carneiro in the 11th minute who got hold off a pass from Naveen Mendes and busted into the goal area and unleash a fierce right footer which had no answer to the keeper.
Dempo had two more chances in consolidating their lead, first Velito Cruz was unlucky to find the net when his well struck shot just sailed over the goal post and then in the 45th minute Salgaocar keeper S Rajini Kumar was alert to the danger and thwarted Beevan D`Mello just outside the penalty box, from which Jessel’s well struck free-kick missed the target narrowly.
Joaquim Abranches who has been in a good scoring form in this year’s GPL was once again on target for Dempo with a smart finish in the second half only after four minutes after some
good work done on the left flank by Jessel Carneiro to make it 2-0.
There was a sudden change in Salgaocar`s approach who regrouped and made it 2-1 in the 55th minute when Ronaldo Oliveira disposed Desmond Pereira who ghosted inside the penalty area and passed the ball to Devendra Murgaonkar who slotted the ball into the empty net.
Boosted by the goal, Salgoacar began to find their feet and had two clear chances at their rivals’ goal, first Samuel Costa sizzling 30-yard strike just went inches over the post and few minutes later keeper Tyson Caiado came to his side’s rescue by denying Ronaldo who had got past a couple of Dempo defenders with some neat footwork.
A well positioned Selwyn Miranda almost levelled terms for the Green Brigade in the 66th minute but his tap at the goal hit the Dempo defender and went out for a corner.
Velito nearly put Dempo ahead minutes later but keeper Rajini reacted brilliantly to stop his placement in finding the net and at the other end keeper Tyson Caiado was equal to the task denying Godfrey in finding the target in a one-to-one situation.
Staring a defeat, Salgaocar finally found the all-important goal in the four minutes of added time and snatch a valuable point through Devendra Murgaonkar whose well-directed header from a cross by Samson Pereira found the nets to complete a remarkable turnaround to the huge relief of the teammates and their large supporters, 2-2 and leave the Dempo contingent in dismay.
