Dempo's Super-sub Kirtikesh Gadekar sink Vasco SC, Sporting Goa pip Sesa FA in GPL

Photo by: Anthony Fernandes

Ravish Narvekar

The Port Towners suffered their third straight defeat of the season.

Kirtikesh Gadekar came off the bench to score the winner for Dempo Sports Club as they secured a hard-fought 2-1 win over Vasco Sports Club in the Goa Professional League match played at SAG Ground, Benaulim.

Pedro Gonsalves opened a tally for Dempo in the 21st minute, while Nigerian forward Felix Odili made it all square in the added minutes of the session.

Vasco gaffer Micky Fernandes made five changes following their defeat at the hands of Velsao SCC in the last round match as Cavin Lobo, Chirag Mardolkar made the comeback, while keeper Debasish Ghosal, Ashley Fernandes and U20 Jesvan Fernandes made the first start for the Port Towners.

At the other end, Kulsner Pereira and Shallum Pires were the two changes in the Dempo's starting XI, which hammered Guardian Angel SC by five goals in the last match.

The Golden Eagles started the match on an attacking note and tried to control the game with back-to-back attacks. However, Vasco's defence led by their skipper Kuldeep Kumar kept every danger at the bay. The Port Towners also came close to opening the tally in the 8th minute when their Nigerian forward made a through pass to Prajwal who entered the box but failed to cut it back to his teammates in the box.

Dempo replied with a series of attacks as first, Pruthvesh Pednekar darted in the box and found Laximanrao Rane but the U20 midfielder saw his tap miss the target by a whisker. Five minutes later, Shallum sent a long freekick to unmarked Pruthvesh in the box but the lad could not control the ball with just Vasco's keeper to beat.

Vasco were lucky not to concede in the 16th minute as their keeper Debasish's clearance shot hit Dempo's Necio Fernandes in the box but the deflection missed the target by hairline distance.

After probing attacks the Golden Eagles finally broke the deadlock in the 21st minute when Suraj's well-taken corner was smartly headed in by Pedro from close to put Dempo into the lead.

After conceding a goal, Vasco came out all attacking where they came close to scoring on many occasions but aimless strikes from Prajwal, Ashley and Felix restricted the Port Towners from levelling back.

However, Felix managed to put back Vasco in the business in the added minutes of the session. The Nigerian forward smoothly danced past three rival defenders and went for glory but his fierce strike was brilliantly blocked by Dempo keeper Wellyster Mendes. The ball again rolled to him and this time he made no mistake to beat Dempo's custodian making it 1-1.

At halftime, both sides made a change each as Vieri Colaco replaced Suraj Hadkonkar for Dempo, whereas U20 Jesvan made way for Altamash Sayed for the Port Towners.

The change looked like helped the Port Towners as they were the dominant side from the start of the second session with continuous pressing in the rivals' half. They had the best chance to take the lead in the 54th minute when Ganesh Thakur made a swift run on the right flank and made a -perfect through pass to Felix but the à as he tried his luck from outside the box but his scorching volley was brilliantly saved by Dempoinch custodian.

The Golden Eagles also had a couple of chances to surge ahead but first, Brian Faria headed out from close, while a minute later, Sheldon Fernandes shot wide from inside the box. They once again came close as this time Sheldon made a short pass to Necio at the edge of the box where the midfielder saw his curling strike pushed for a corner by Vasco keeper Debasish with a diving effort.

Vasco's winger Savlong was unlucky in the 82nd minute as his lob shot beat Dempo custodian Wellyster and rebound off the up-right. This time, keeper Wellyster was quick to collect the same.

At the other end, Dempo's substitute Kirtikesh Gadekar who was also judged the Man of the Match, put them ahead in the 85th minute as Vieri made a through pass to Kirtikesh who beat the keeper in the box and blasted in the goal from close to make it 2-1.

The dying minutes witnessed, Dempo's Vieri going for a glory from distance but Vasco keeper Debasish came with a breathtaking save to limit the damage of his side.

Sporting Goa down Sesa FA at Duler

In the other match played at Duler Stadium, Sporting Clube de Goa secured a solitary goal win over Sesa Football Academy. The all-important goal was scored by Lloyd Cardozo in the 23rd minute. The Sporting defender Clive Miranda was awarded the Man of the Match.