Dempo 3-2 Sporting Clube De Goa – Armando Colaco's Side End Their Three Match Losing Streak

Dempo Sports Club broke their sequence of losses and returned to the top of the table after securing a 3-2 win over Sporting Clube de Goa at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Thursday.

Dempo were down to an early second half goal by Dawson fernandes but Joy Ferrao first restored parity, then substitute Koko Sakibo put the former I-League champions ahead before Ranti Martins settled the issue in the favour of Armando Colaco’s men.

Joyner Lourenco pulled one goal back for Sporting in the third minute of added time, but there was just no time for Ekendra Singh’s men to find an equalizer.

With the victory, Dempo move to the top of the table with 24 points from 11 matches while Sporting Clube stay on 13 points from 11 matches.

Eager to put the three consecutive losses behind them, Dempo started strongly and should have been ahead early in the game but Joy Ferrao saw his half-volley hit the goalpost and sail out of play.

At the other end, Dempo’s goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani was required to make two good saves to keep the scoreline nil-nil. First, he dived full length to keep out Jovel Martins’ long range effort and then when South Sudan striker James Moga threatened to find the back of the net, Kattimani proved equal to the challenge again.

The two teams went into half-time tied at 0-0.

Sporting Clube though, surged ahead almost immediately after resumption of play when Stephen Barreto’s cross from the right, which should have been converted by Moga in front of the goal but instead it was Dawson who took everyone by surprise when his acrobatic effort bulged the net.

Dempo took the setback in their stride and continued attacking. Eventually they found the equaliser in the 62nd minute, although in fortunate circumstances. A feeble shot from man of the match Godwin Franco was deflected by a Sporting defender onto the path of Joy Ferrao, lurking nearby, who pounced on the opportunity.

Dempo surged ahead in the 74th minute when Climax Lawrence put Koko through and the Nigerian striker was left with the simplest of task to slot past Milagrio Medeira in Sporting’s goal.

Ranti Martins scored the team’s third goal six minutes from the end. This time too it was Climax who did all the hardwork and left Ranti with a simple tap-in.

There was still time for another goal as Sporting Clube pulled one back via Joyner Lourenco, who came up with a stunning 40-yarder that found the top corner of the net.

That was the last piece of action from the match as the referee blew the whistle shortly afterwards, leaving the Dempo players and staff celebrating a crucial win which takes them to the top of the table.