Dempo Sports Club were unlucky not to win against ARA Football Club as their Hero Second Division I-League match ended goalless at Dempo Football Academy ground, Ela-Old Goa on Wednesday evening.
Dempo had most number of shots on target even hitting the frame of the goal twice in the second half. The rival goalkeeper Sangramjit Roy Chowdhury made some crucial saves to keep the visiting team in the game.
On the other hand, Dempo goalie Antonio Dylan da Silva was not tested for most part of the entertaining encounter.
Having been held to a goalless draw in their last away match to Hyderabad FC Reserves following the opening day 1-0 victory at home to FC Goa Reserves, Dempo SC began their third match of the Second Division I-League campaign in an attacking mode.
However, it was ARA FC, who made the first real attempt on goal as in the 8th minute, skipper Naro Shrestha’s looping header from the penalty area just missed the target.
Dempo forward Beneston Barretto and attacking midfielder Necio Fernandes looked sharp and made inroads into the rival area, at will. The first shot on target for Necio, in the 18th minute, was however straight at ARA custodian Sangramjit.
Dempo came close to sniffing success in the 23rd minute when defender Mohamed Ali timed his run perfectly off a corner kick by Necio, only to see the powerful header narrowly miss the target and fly above the crossbar.
The midfield worked brilliantly for Dempo with the duo at the heart of it – Gourav Kankonkar and Desmon, putting in the one-touch short passes to build incisive moves. On one such pleasing move from the right flank, a darting Beneston was guilty of lack of awareness as he failed to notice the advancing rival goalkeeper Sangramjit, who made himself big and blocked the shot by Dempo No 7.
With just a minute to go for half time interval, Beneston set up by a defence-splitting pass from Gourav, could not find a way beyond the ARA FC goalie.
With Dempo SC clearly rattling the leaders ARA FC in the first half with superior attack and more ball possession, the visiting team from Ahmedabad began the second half with more determination and soon called Dempo goalkeeper into action as Hijam Lenin Singh struck a volley from close range which brought out a one-handed save by Dylan da Silva.
Dempo also had their opportunities even as ARA FC looked to make an impression. Around the hour mark, Necio could have scored the opener if he had to only touch a superb low cross across the face of the rival goal. But that was not to be as Necio was a yard behind as hard-working Beneston’s brilliant through-ball rolled across.
Necio gave his all in search of the elusive goal, and in the 65th minute, making a great connection as he volleyed the shot from right side of the box, but saw the ball hit the intersection.
This was also the best period of sustained pressure for ARA FC where left-winger D Shelton Paul dazzled with his pacy runs and sharp footwork that dazed the Dempo defenders. However, his service was not utilised well on most of the occasions as substitute forward Manvir Singh and Naro Shrestha ballooned the strikes over the crossbar most of the times.
Dempo defended resolutely while also kept on creating chances. And on one more occasion, they did not have luck on their side as defender Brian Faria’s header hit the crossbar with goalkeeper Sangramjit nowhere near to have covered the angle.
In the post-match reaction, Dempo SC assistant coach and goalkeeping coach Richard Sanchez said: “We played very well and the boys gave their 100 percent; but, we missed many chances and have to face this problem. We have to be clinical in front of the goal, in the next game.”
Dempo SC moved up to second place in Group D with 5 points from three matches – two of which have been goalless draws. They will next play at home again against Ambernath Atlanta on 2nd April. ARA FC lead the table with 8 points from four matches. They will host Dempo in the return fixture on 7th April.
