By Sporting Clube de Goa Media

GOA: Sporting Clube de Goa failed to convert a plethora of chances that came their way and were forced to split points with ten man Dempo SC as they started their campaign in the Under-18 I League Goa Zone at their home ground at Don Bosco, Panaji.

Sporting started on a promising note and took the lead through Daryl Costa in the 5th minute. Daryl D’costa nodded home at the far post a Dhiraj Chavan goalmouth header following a corner kick taken by Harshad Naik.  Hardly had the cheers died down as Dempo were back on level terms with Aaron D’Silva easily tapping in at the goalmouth after silly mix-up between Stopper Clive and keeper Sherwin who messed up a long ball from deep out of the Dempo defence.

Sporting exerted pressure on the Dempo Defence with  mid-fielders Jesmon Soares and Moses D’sa working in tandem with Akhiraj Martins Daryl D’Costa upfront and forced a series of corner-kicks.  It was well worked set piece between Harshad and Jesmon which set up Moses D’sa at the top of the box to volley a pile-driver into the corner of the Dempo goal past the out stretched hands of keeper Ozen Silva in the 19th minute. Thereafter Sporting skipper Akhiraj Martins could have doubled the advantage for sporting, but he failed to find the mark with the keeper at his mercy.

Crossing over with a 2-1 lead Sporting raided the Dempo citadel time and again, but failed to increase the lead.  Surprisingly, it  was Dempo who found the net midway into the second half through Viraj Naik who was gifted an open goal after Sporting defender Shawn Noronha and keeper Sherwin had a comical mix-up at the top of the box again following a long ball.

Dempo were reduced to 10 men after substitute Jayson Luca was red carded after he was found to have head butted Jesmon  Soares. With a one man advantage Sporting were all over the Dempo defence but keeper Ozen Silva was unbeatable. His two breathtaking saves towards the closing stages when he tipped over powerful shots from Daryl D’costa and Prisco Moura, were a treat to watch.

Sporting’s Jesmon Soares, Delbert Fernandes, Cliver Miranda and Dempo’s Nestor Dias were cautioned by the Referee Parmanand Mandrekar.

Sporting next play Salgaocar on 31st Ocotber while Dempo will be meeting AIFF XI on 5th November, 2015.