Team Herald
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MAPUSA: Two-goal blitz by Stephen Martins in stoppage time enabled Chapora Yuvak Sangh edge past Dempo Sports Club Juniors by 2-1 margin in the Goa Football Association’s Division I League match played at Duler Stadium, here, on Wednesday.
Dempo SC Juniors stunned their opponents in the 29th minute after medio Soham Nagvekar collected a through pass from Swavel Furtado darted inside the 18-yard box and placed the ball into the far corner of the goal, 1-0.
Chapora YS came with repeated raids on the rival citadel but Myron Fernandes missed two open sitters, while Cain Fernandes, Rohan Pednekar and Chadel Fernandes strikes came off the horizontal bar.
In the 40th minute, Dempo SC Juniors custodian Mohammad Khan brought an excellent save as he acrobatically fisted the ball for a corner from a fierce left footer by Myron Fernandes.
On crossing over, Chapora YS continued exerting pressure on the rival citadel where in the 53rd minute once again Dempo SC’s custodian Mohammad brought a breath taking block to deny substitute Saimesh Gaonkar in one to one situation.
Dempo SC’s U-21 Swavel Furtado worked tirelessly in the midfield and was instrumental in Dempo SC’s goal as he provided an intelligent through pass to Soham Nagvekar who scored. It was also a great delight to see Dempo SC’s last line of defence Jonathan, Flavio, Tejas and Pradip along with their keeper Mohammad Khan restrict Chapora YS from scoring till the stoppage time.
In the last quarter of the match, Chapora YS’s Rohan Pednekar saw his rasping 25-yard shot come off the crossbar, while Stephen Martin’s strike was saved by Dempo SC’s custodian.
Finally, Chapora YS’s Stephen Martins, who on his debut not only equalised for his team but scored the match winning goal to send the large Chapora YS supporters in raptures.
At Poriat ground, Calangute, A A de Moira registered a well-deserved 3-1 win over St Savio’s SC.