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MAPUSA: A dramatic 94th-minute goal from Dempo’s Shreyash Naik handed his side a 1-0 victory over FC Goa, in the Goa Professional League clash, at Duler stadium, on Wednesday.
The opening half was action-packed, with both goalkeepers pulling off crucial saves to keep the game goalless at the break.
Dempo’s U-21 midfielder Arnold Oliveira missed two golden opportunities to put his side ahead, while another delivery from Aryan Poll saw Arnold’s strike from just outside the six-yard box brilliantly parried for a corner by FC Goa’s goalkeeper, Lionel Rymmei.
At the other end, Young Gaurs’ Lalthangliana fired a shot from inside the 18-yard box, only to be denied by Dempo’s custodian, Myrick Hilario.
As the game progressed, FC Goa’s Malsawmtluanga sent in a curling corner, followed by a powerful effort from U-21 Bryson Pereira, but Hilario was equal to the challenge, making a comfortable save.
In the 40th minute, Dempo’s Chinkhoslam Dimngel sent in a teasing cross into the goal area, but Velanco Rodrigues was a fraction too late to nod it home.
Deep into first-half stoppage time, an Arnold Oliveira free-kick found Aryan Poll, whose diving header was once again kept out by the agile Rymmei.
Both coaches made two changes each at the start of the second half in a bid to break the deadlock.
FC Goa came agonisingly close to taking the lead, but Dempo’s goalkeeper produced two outstanding saves—first, stopping a strike from substitute Lemmet Tangvah, and then denying a close-range header from Konsam Singh.
Dempo’s defender Stenis Touthang also pulled off a world-class goal-line clearance in the 88th minute, blocking a powerful strike from Konsam Singh just outside the six-yard box.
Just as it seemed the match was heading for a draw, Dempo found the decisive breakthrough in the 94th minute. Substitute U-21 player Salgeo Dias delivered a dangerous cross to the far post, where fellow substitute Shreyash Naik was perfectly placed to tap the ball into the net, sealing a dramatic 1-0 victory for Dempo.
