Photo Credits: U-18 I-League
THE GOAN NETWORK
PANAJI
Kapil Hoble's first half strike powered Dempo SC to a 1-0 win over Sporting Clube de Goa in their U-18 I-League match at Duler Stadium, Mapusa on Monday evening. Kapil struck the winner in the eighth minute for the young Eagles.
With both teams displaying some good intent early in the match it was Dempo’s game plan that paid off. A cross from Desmon Pereira on the right found Kapil leaping beyond his marker to place it past Akshat Hadkonkar.
Sporting Clube took a while to gather themselves before launching their waves of offence. In the 19th minute, Alston Camotio found Perryson Fernandes on the break but the latter shot straight at the Dempo keeper. Sporting Clube had their best opportunity in the 37th minute when a Princeton Rebello free-kick from about 35 yards out dipped right onto Dempo net only to be denied by the woodwork.Crossing over, the introduction of Veegan Ferrao changed the tides in favour of Sporting Clube but there was no goal to show for their efforts. In the 57th minute, Sporting Clube skipper Shawn Noronha almost drew level when his header off a corner went screaming past the Dempo net. Sporting had the best opportunity of the match in the 64th minute when Alston fed Veegan with an inviting cross only to see the latter miss the opportunity from a handshaking distance.
In the 73rd minute, Dempo’s Boris De Melo took a swing from about 35 yards away testing Akshat who managed to hold on to the ball ensuring no further damage. Sporting Clube’s last opportunity came in the 86th minute when Veegan’s powerful shot was kept out by the Dempo goalkeeper with a full-length dive towards his right. Dempo lads hung on the lead, seeing off a spirited Sporting Clube fight back to walk home with three points.
