Dempo, Salgaocar play out goalless draw

Dempo Sports Club and Salgaocar Football Club played out a drab 0-0 draw in the Airtel Super League match at Duler stadium here on Monday. 

Dempo, having collected 25 points, finished their Pro-League campaign on 3rd position while the I-League leaders Salgaocar finished 4th with 22 points.

The opening stages saw either side share an equal amount of possession but it was the green brigade who looked more dangerous in attack as they pressed forward while Dempo chose to sit back and retain ball possession in the midfield.

Salgaocar’s attacking approach almost paid off when in the 18th minute the Australian debutant Mathew Foschini’s bullet of a header from Rayman Fernandes’s flagkick ricocheted off the cross bar and out of play.

It served as a wakeup call for the Azuri brigade as  they responded almost immediately but Peter Carvalho’s header was parried by Salgaocar keeper Felix D’souza.

The attack of both the sides faded following the two opportunities. The play was mostly confined to the midfield area and players from either side were unable to create a single clear-cut opportunity.

The game saw its next effort at goal minutes before the half time whistle. Centerback Augustin Fernandes climbed the highest but his goal-bound header from Rayman’s cornerkick was tipped onto the crosspiece by Laxmikant Kattimani.

The first forty-five minutes were rather dull as both teams played a safe game and were reluctant to commit players to attack. The second half followed a similar pattern much to the disappointment of the supporters. 

Dempo coach Arthur Papas tried to shake things up and introduced Gabriel and Myron Fernandes into the attack while his counterpart Derrick Pereira brought in the robust Bali Gagandeep and Brian Mascarenhas to influence their attack.

But little changed for either side as goal scoring opportunities were still a luxury.

Salgaocar created their first chance of the half with quarter of the match left to be played. Substitute Bali charged at the Dempo backline before he slipped a through ball to fellow substitute Marcus Mascarenhas but Selwyn Fernandes came in with a timely block to keep his side from going a goal down.

Just like in the first half Salgaocar’s opportunity instigated Dempo. And it was by far the best move of the game. Jewel Shaikh and Mandar Rao Dessai combined well on the edge of the box before Mandar’s attempt was pushed to safety by Felix.

Simon Colosimo was awarded the Man of the Match at the hands of Sesa Football Academy’s Technical director Clifford Chukwuma.