Team Herald
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa defeated Dempo SC 5-3 via the tie-breaker in the charity match organised by the GFA under floodlights at the Duler Stadium, on Sunday.
Sporting took a slender first-half lead through former Dempo player Aaron Bareto in the 13th minute. A pinpoint cross from Rohan Rodrigues was nodded down by Ngangbam Singh into the path of the unmarked Bareto, who finished clinically to make it 1-0.
Dempo’s custodian Myrick Hilario then kept his side in contention with two fine saves, first tipping Ivon Costa’s effort around the post and later diving full-stretch to his right to deny Bareto a second. Though the Academy-based Dempo colts showed flashes of quality, Sporting’s backline, marshalled by skipper Kunal Kundaikar and Myron Fernandes, ensured their side went into the breather ahead.
Dempo regrouped strongly after the restart and drew level in the 69th minute. Skipper Arnoldo Oliveira’s pass found Nevan Dias in the six-yard box, whose header was flicked on by substitute Murphy Fernandes into the net for 1-1.
With no further goals, the match was settled by penalties. Sporting converted four times to Dempo’s two, sealing a 5-3 victory.
Proceeds from the fixture were handed over to the wife of the late Lourenco Pereira, a former GFA staff member.