VASCO: Sporting Clube de Goa’s hopes of qualifying for the I-League crashed after a closely-fought solitary-goal defeat against rivals Dempo Sports Club in the I-League 2, at Tilak Maidan, here, on Sunday.
Shubham Rawat scored the all-important goal for Dempo SC in the 51st minute. Meanwhile, Dempo SC strengthened their position in the second spot as they are now second with 24 points after 13 games. SC Bengaluru have already secured qualification with two games to spare.
Sporting Clube remained in fifth place with 19 points and take on United SC in their final game on Saturday. Dempo SC will only need a draw when they host third-placed Sudeva Delhi FC (23 points).
Sporting Clube needed a win to stay in contention for the second spot. Head coach Armando Colaco made three changes to the starting line-up after their shocking 0-3 defeat against Maharashtra Oranje FC in the last match. Abhimanyu Singh started under the crossbar and he was put to work early on in the game as Dempo SC came out all guns blazing.
Sporting Clube took time to settle down and got a good chance just after the half an hour mark when Klusner Pereira swung in a dangerous cross inside the box, but onrushing Joyson Gauncar’s effort went sailing over from close.
Soon, Biswa Darjee came up with a promising run but couldn’t direct his cross perfectly to Alister Anthony or Joyson. However, six minutes into the second half, Shubhan Rawat broke the deadlock for Dempo SC as his half volley got the better of a diving Abhimanyu.
Thereafter, Sporting Clube went all out in search of the equaliser but Alister and Doyal Alves couldn’t find the target. In the 89th minute, Sporting Clube captain Joel Colaco received a second booking for a challenge and was sent off.
