Dempo edge past Salgaocar to go top of the table
- 8:07 AM
- By Football Fans Manipur
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MARGAO, December 1: Dempo Sports Club left it late to edge past Salgaocar Football Club 2-1 in the Goa derby of the I-League at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday.
Rohan Ricketts scored an impressive goal to give Dempo the lead but Salgaocar fought back and equalized in the second session through Australian striker Sean Rooney. Ryuji Sueoka then scored the winner for Dempo just six minutes before time.
The teams were forced to field different lineups after missing the regulars through injuries. Dempo had to do without internationals Anthony Pereira and Clifford Miranda while Salgaocar missed the services of captain Luciano Sabroso and midfielder Francis Fernandes. Those who stepped-up, though, did justice to their roles as both teams played at breakneck speed right from the start.
Dempo took some time before they had a look at the goal but with Ricketts in superb form, a goal looked likely. It happened just before the half hour mark as Ricketts capitalized on a defensive blunder from Randeep Singh. The former Arsenal striker pounced on a loose clearance from Randeep and then beat Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh with a low drive from outside the box.
Salgaocar had to wait till the second session to score the equalizer. It was all thanks to their pressing game and to some extent Dempo’s relaxed game. Australian striker Sean Rooney got the equalizer as he came up with a sharp header off Milagres Gonsalves’ cross to draw his team level.
Both teams after that had chances to kill the match. Sueoka went close twice for Dempo while Rooney could have done better in the two chances that were presented to him.
At a time when it looked like Dempo and Salgaocar would be forced to share the spoils, the defending champions came up with the goal that mattered. Climax Lawrence sent a long ball to Ricketts who did well to control the ball and sent it towards the goal where Sueoka, this time, made no mistake with the header in a goalmouth melee.
Rooney could have saved a point for Salgaocar at the death but Dempo goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattymani came up with a smart save from close range.
Rohan Ricketts scored an impressive goal to give Dempo the lead but Salgaocar fought back and equalized in the second session through Australian striker Sean Rooney. Ryuji Sueoka then scored the winner for Dempo just six minutes before time.
The teams were forced to field different lineups after missing the regulars through injuries. Dempo had to do without internationals Anthony Pereira and Clifford Miranda while Salgaocar missed the services of captain Luciano Sabroso and midfielder Francis Fernandes. Those who stepped-up, though, did justice to their roles as both teams played at breakneck speed right from the start.
Dempo took some time before they had a look at the goal but with Ricketts in superb form, a goal looked likely. It happened just before the half hour mark as Ricketts capitalized on a defensive blunder from Randeep Singh. The former Arsenal striker pounced on a loose clearance from Randeep and then beat Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh with a low drive from outside the box.
Salgaocar had to wait till the second session to score the equalizer. It was all thanks to their pressing game and to some extent Dempo’s relaxed game. Australian striker Sean Rooney got the equalizer as he came up with a sharp header off Milagres Gonsalves’ cross to draw his team level.
Both teams after that had chances to kill the match. Sueoka went close twice for Dempo while Rooney could have done better in the two chances that were presented to him.
At a time when it looked like Dempo and Salgaocar would be forced to share the spoils, the defending champions came up with the goal that mattered. Climax Lawrence sent a long ball to Ricketts who did well to control the ball and sent it towards the goal where Sueoka, this time, made no mistake with the header in a goalmouth melee.
Rooney could have saved a point for Salgaocar at the death but Dempo goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattymani came up with a smart save from close range.
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