Team Herald
MAPUSA: Salgaocar Football Club secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Dempo Sports Club in the GFA’s U20 TACA GOA League One, played at Duler stadium, on Wednesday.
It was just six minutes on the clock when the young Greens scored the first goal of the match as the Salgaocar lads that surged ahead in the 6th minute as Dempo defender Nikhil Gurang and Desmond Fernandes made defensive error in the box, taking advantage of the same, Salgaocar striker Devendra Murgaokar finished the ball in the back of the net making it 1-0 for Salgaocar.
Dempo found the equaliser through Boris de Melo in the 14th minute when he converted from the spot after Salgaocar’s Salesh Haldankar brought down Aaren Alvares in the box to give away the penalty kick. The Golden Eagles had another chance to take the lead in the 27th minute as Vineet Bugde found Altroy Rodrigues with a smart through pass but the latter failed to beat the only keeper as the ball rolled just outside the goalpost.
In the 40th minute, Boris had a chance to scored Dempo’s second but the striker failed to control his shot from the edge of the box after being set up by Desmond Pereira with a smart pass. At the half time, Salgaocar midfielder Kaushik Nagi made way for GPL U-20 Ribhav Sardesai.
Both the teams gave the equal fight to find the winner but Salgaocar were the better side with some potent attacks. In few of these, Andrus John had the best chance of the match when he found the loose ball just outside the 6-yard box but his strike was timely blocked by Vineet, while a few minutes later Devendra saw his goal-bound shot hit Dempo defender and went out for a corner.
When it was looking like the match will end up in a draw, Devendra came to rescue all three points for his side when he beat the Dempo keeper Flezbern Souza in his last touch in the 83rd minute making it 2-1 for Salgaocar.
Salgaocar had another opportunity to further increase their lead in the 88th minute but Dempo keeper Flezbern Souza pushed Andrus’s shot for a corner.
