Goan Football Club registered a convincing 2-0 win over Dempo Sports Club who fumbled chances in the Goa Football Association’s Charity Cup 2019-2020 match, played under floodlights at Duler Stadium on Thursday.
Dempo coach Samir Naik fielded defender Nickson Castanha and Shallum Pires – who had signed back after spending a season with I-League outfits Churchill Brothers FC – while newly signed U-20 striker Aman Govekar from Vasco SC also made it to the starting eleven.
Goan FC, on the other hand, fielded four players from their ISL team FC Goa – Princeton Rebelo, Liston Colaco, Saviour Gama and Kingslee Fernandes — and coach Clifford Miranda gave a chance to newly signed U-20 striker Flan Gomes.
The match started with an end-to-end play where Dempo had the upper hand in the attacking in the first quarter. However, Goan FC were the first to look at the goal when their midfielder Princeton Rebelo went for the glory from the top of the box but his powerful strike was easily collected by Dempo custodian Agnelo Gomes.
At the other end, Dempo almost broke the deadlock in the 15th minute when Alber Gonsalves’ header was making its way into the empty net but Goan medio Nestor Dias cleared the danger with a timely header.
In the very next minute, Dempo were reduced to 10 men as referee Tejas Nagvenkar sent off Dempo left-back Nickson Castanha with a straight red card for a rough tackle on Saviour Gama.
Taking advantage of a man short, Goan FC finally managed to break Dempo’s defence in the 24th minute as Lalawmpuia’s sparkling shot from the 25 yards deflected off Dempo defender Shallum Pires and completely beat custodian Agnelo who was caught on the left foot due to the deflection.
Dempo refuse to give up and tried to build the pressure on the rivals and came with a potent attack in the 35th minutes as Methew tried to find Aman with a fine cross but it was nicely blocked by Goan FC defender Gama.
However, the resultant block was making his way in their own goal but custodian Shubham Dhas clear the danger with a bicycle kick.
GoanFC consolidated their lead in the 40th minute when Lalawmpuia’s powerful free kick from the distance hit the inside off the crossbar, landed inside and came out. However, referee Nagvenkar consulted assistant referee Sainath Haldankar before allowing a goal.
On changing the ends, the match was restricted to the midfield play in the first 15 minutes with end to end swift attacks from Goan FC where Liston covered some ground before firing a blistering strike from the distance but Dempo keeper Agnelo made a diving effort to push the ball for a corner.
A few minutes later, Lalawmpuia easily dribbled past few opponents to enter the box but Dempo defender Edwin Viegas cleared the danger on time.
Dempo were awarded a free kick at the 35 yards where Suraj Hadkonkar directly went for the glory only to see it denied by the woodwork.
A minute later, they had the golden opportunity to reduce the margin when referee Tejas awarded a penalty kick to them after Goan FC defender Lalmangiah Sanga handled the ball in the box but Suraj was once again unlucky as this time his strike from the spot rebound off the crossbar.
The Golden Eagles had one more chance before the full-time whistle when Desmon Pereira just had to beat the Goan FC custodian from close but the lad shot straight in the hands of the keeper.
