I-LEAGUE Media Team

GOA: Haroon Fakhruddin (Amiri) headed home a 89th minute equalizer as Dempo Sports Club snatched a 2-2 draw against Sporting Clube de Goa in a Hero I-League clash at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Saturday.

Amiri’s first half goal in the 24th minute was cancelled by Victorino Fernandes at the stroke of half time before Odafa Okolie gave Sporting Clube the lead in the 68th minute. It seemed like enough for Sporting Clube until Amiri struck again with just a minute of regulation time left to be played.

Dempo were calm with the ball but could not create too many chances because they were wayward when passing the ball. Their best chance, though, came early in the game when Jewel Raja slipped a ball through for Joy Ferrao, who hoodwinked one defender but was soon tackled by another close to the goal.

Sporting Clube’s best chance of getting a goal was through Odafa Okolie and the dangerous Nigerian striker did his best in the opening half. He had two chances but his header was first saved by Dempo goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani and another shot went straight into the hands of the waiting goalkeeper. Odafa created two more chances for Victorino Fernandes and Syrian midfielder Mahmoud Al Amna but both came a cropper in front of goal.

Dempo surged ahead in the 24th minute in fortunate circumstances. A corner from Jewel Raja should have been routine collection for goalkeeper Lalit Thapa but instead the ball slipped out of his grasp and allowed a simple heading opportunity for Haroon Fakhruddin.

Sporting picked themselves up and intensified their search for the equalizer and could only manage to draw level in added time of the first session. Cajetan Fernandes picked up Mahmoud on the right flank who did exceedingly well to cross it for Victorino who did equally well to finish with a diving header.

It was just the boost that Sporting Clube needed for a sustained onslaught in the second session. Odafa Okolie it was who gave Sporting Clube the lead in the 68th minute when he beat the goalkeeper in the air of a corner kick taken by Cajetan Fernandes.

It looked like that would be enough for Sporting to register their first win in the competition but Haroon Fakhruddin headed home the equalizer in the 89th minute to snatch a valuable draw.

Hero of the Match – Cajetan Fernandes (SCG).