In the first half, Santa Cruz Club of Cavelossim were leading 1-0.
Dempo SC had the control over the ball in the initial stages with Uttam Rai and Milagres Gonsalves making the moves upfront in search of goals. As the match progressed, Uttam floated the ball to Milagres from the right flank but the latter’s try was tackled by SCC Cavelossim’s Balwinder Singh.
Milagres’ second effort ballooned over the crosspiece of the rival goal.
SCC Cavelossim also had their chance but Rayman Fernandes, who was lurking in Dempo SC box, squandered an opportunity by shooting wide after the ball being served on a platter by Rovan Pereira.
Soon, SCC Cavelossim made up for the lost chance with Mario Mascarenhas setting up the ball to Joshua Vaz, who unleashed a powerful grounder, to crush into the nylons of Dempo SC.
Thereafter, Dempo SC through Uttam failed to score as Balwinder thwarted the effort.
Change of ends saw Dempo SC going all out for an equalizer but were made to wait. SCC Cavelossim substitute Clencio Pinto fired a shot in the 59th minute but saw the ball flying over the crosspiece of Dempo SC.
Immediately, Joshua shot blindly into the hands of Dempo SC goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimmani in the 65th minute.
As both the teams tried to take control of the match, SCC Cavelossim’s Savio Fernandes in their danger zone brought down Dempo SC’s Uttam. Match referee Meckenzy Silveira spotted the dreaded spot and awarded a penalty kick to Dempo SC, which was converted by Uttam in the 85th minute.
In the 92nd minute, SCC Cavelossim scored the much needed winner when Melwin Fernandes set up a ball to substitute Lavino Fernandes, whose strike entered the far corner of Dempo SC goal.
