Salgaocar SC Goa held Dempo SC to a 1-1 draw in the ONGC I League Round II match played in Margao on Thursday.
Salgaocar playing their first game this season in the ONGC I League were cruising at the lemon break with a goal-lead, thanks to a debut goal off an header by Nigerian striker Ekene Ikenwa. But, three minutes after play resumed, Dempo fought their way back; Beto finding the back of the net, he was helped however by the custodian of Salgaocar .
Dempo coach Armando Colaco was forced to rush Anwar Ali and Samir Naik from injuries, not surprisingly in sharp contrast to pre-match talk of a defensive crisis. But against a determined Salgaocar squad that seemed keen to make their intentions clear did not relent inspite of change in defensive strategy by Dempo.
Dempo started nervously, especially at the back and their defensive frailties were exposed when Nigerian striker Ekene Ikenwa was allowed all the time and space in the world to nod home Manjit Singh’s corner in the fourth minute.
An early goal would have unsettled any side, more so for a team that is admittedly suffering a crisis at the defene. But Dempo SC proved they are made of sterner stuff as they got back their composure and control of the proceedings.
Brazilian midfielder Beto was the standout performer yet again and was rewarded with the man of the match award. He seemed to hold this squad together and in keeping with his rich vein of form -- seven goals in eight matches -- the Brazilian bailed his team with an opportunistic strike immediately after the change of ends.
It was more through luck than any skill or judgement that Dempo SC clawed their way back. A Nicolau Borges cross from the left seemed routine collection for the experienced Kalyan Chaubey, but the Salgaocar goalkeeper dived and, uncharacteristically, allowed the ball to slip out of his grasp for Beto to strike
Source : AIFF
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Wednesday 7 October 2009, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.