Dempo, Sporting play 1-1 draw

Sporting Clube de Goa and Dempo Sports Club played out an exciting 1-1 draw in the Airtel Goa Super League at Duler Stadium here on Saturday.

Boima Karpeh found the net in the second session to cancel out Romeo Fernandes’ first half strike.

Coming into the fixture, Sporting had one hand on the prize and a win would have seen them clinch the title, while a result in Dempo’s favour would have kept the title race in the balance. 

After the draw, Sporting continue to top the table with 27 points while Dempo are 2nd with 24 points.

It was a game of high stakes for both sides and Sporting went about their business right from the onset. And they could have stunned their opponents almost immediately by taking the lead in the 4th minute itself. 

Karpeh’s pass found its way to Jovel Martins but he lacked the composure when he had only the keeper between him and the goal.

It was a positive start for the Flaming Oranje and chances came aplenty for them with majority of the game being played in the Dempo half.

Sporting dominated their opponents and created another opportunity in the 16th minute. Jovel tricked his way past the Dempo backline and fired a dangerous cross into the box but Lesten Martins although unmarked ballooned over the crossbar with a gaping goal staring at him.

The Flaming Oranje did everything right but lacked the final touch in front of goal. 

And after absorbing all the pressure, Dempo struck a lethal blow to end Sporting’s momentum when they broke the deadlock against the run of play in the 19th minute. Roberto Silva released Nickson Castanha on the right flank, who in turn sent in a teasing cross and Romeo Fernandes escaped his marker at the far post and volleyed into the top corner to put his side in the lead.

The goal lifted Dempo’s confidence and they found a new rhythm to their passing while their counterparts Sporting were shocked and looked disorientated.

The Flaming Oranje nearly found a reply minutes after they conceded. A well choreographed set-piece between Pratesh Shirodkar and Arturo Garcia saw the latter slip in a pass to Boima but he directed his shot straight at the keeper and wasted yet another opportunity.

At the other end, Dempo set off on a quick counter attack and Pronay Halder put Romeo through on goal but Sporting custodian Ravi Kumar charged out of the 18-yard box and forced him into a tight angle from which he subsequently shot wide. 

It was an action packed first 45 minutes as both sides exchanged blows but it was Dempo who dealt the fatal one as they took a 1-0 lead going into the half.

After resumption the game kept up to the first half tempo as the teams pressed forward with different agendas. Sporting went in search of the elusive equalizer while Dempo looked to extend their lead.

And Dempo came close when Nickson fired in a low cross but the ball was beyond Joy Ferrao who was arriving at pace.

Sporting’s Boima wasted several opportunities before he finally found the equaliser in the 61st minute after he rounded the keeper and rolled the ball home.

Following the equaliser, Sporting started to dominate and Boima should have given his side the lead in the 85th minute when he received a well-measured cross from Joyner Lourenco but he headed wide, literally from under the crossbar much to the dismay of supporters and management.

Boima almost redeemed himself for the missed opportunities but his curling effort which looked destined for the net was pushed to safety in spectacular fashion by Dempo keeper Laxmikant Kattimani who was outstanding between the poles.

Dempo custodian Kattimani was awarded the Man of the Match while Romeo Fernandes collected the ‘Goal of the match’ award at the hands of Babli Mandrekar, GFA Executive member.

[PRESS RELEASE]