TEAM HERALD
sports@herald-goa.com
MAPUSA: Sporting Clube de Goa and Dempo Sports Club played a goalless draw in a GFA’s U-18 First Division football league match at Sangolda ground, Monday.
Dempo dominated the proceedings in the first session while Sporting Clube had the edge after changing ends. Sporting Clube substitute Benedict Dias was the closest who came to scoring when his header hit the upright at the hour mark.
Dempo got off to a flying start with striker Joel Fernandes’ grounder and Valerio Palha’s efforts going inches wide.
At the other end, Sporting Clube lacked creativity in both, midfield as well upfront but they did well defensively. Just before the break, Dempo had a golden opportunity to surge ahead when Quan Gomes delivered a perfect free-kick inside the box but Valerio’s header missed the target from close.
In the second session, the tide changed as Sporting Clube dictated terms. A couple of substitutions lifted their spirits as Jason Monteiro found Benedict, whose effort went wide followed by an attempt from Jason.
The match became frantic at the hour mark when Jason’s well-measured free-kick fell to Benedict, who headed powerfully, only to be disappointed by the upright. The teams went head-to-head in the final quarter but the match-winner never came.
