After back-to-back defeats, Dempo Sports Club bounced back with a 3-0 victory over FC Goa reserves today in a 2nd Division I-League game at the Nagoa Panchayat Ground in Verna, South Goa.
The Golden Eagles, who had lost their away matches to ARA Football Club and Ambernath United FC, are now placed third in the group with 11 points from seven games. ARA and Ambernath United have the same points tally but have played lesser games than Dempo.
Dempo, who play their last group match against Hyderabad FC reserves at Ela-Old Goa on April 27, will have to hope the other results go their way if they have to qualify for the final round.
Coming into the match against the FC Goa developmental side, Dempo needed to get the result to stay alive. And they did just that with talented forward Benniston Barretto giving them a lead in the 12th minute with a confident finish. He doubled the lead in the 36th minute in an exhibition of growing composure within the industrious youngster in one-on-one situation. Former FC Goa defender Mohamed Ali made it 3-0 following a setpiece and Dempo, who had midfielder Gourav Kankonkar sent off for a second yellow card in the 51st minute, kept their citadel intact.
