Brazilian Roberto (Beto) Mendes Silva's spectacular second half goal was enough for National Football League champions Dempo to get the better of Sporting Club de Goa 1-0 and earn full points from their second round match of the ONGC I-League at the Nehru stadium, in Fatorda, Goa, on Wednesday.
The all-important goal came in the 79th minute. Beto was adjudged the man of the match.
Dempo could have romped home by a bigger margin had they utilised the chances before them, especially in the second half.
It was Dempo's second consecutive victory. They lead the table with six points from two victories. Sporting lost both the matches they played.
After a barren first half, Dempo regrouped themselves well, attacked vigorously and came up with three splendid opportunities.
In the 60th minute, Edeh Chidi's long ranger missed the target narrowly. Then, in the 71st minute, Roberto Mendes Silva missed an easy chance. He had only the rival goalkeeper to beat but did not get a clear look at the goal and his hasty shot went wide. It was a well- measured pass from Nicolau Borges.
Dempo shot into the lead in the 79th minute through Roberto off a free- kick. The rasping shot landed straight into the goal, giving no chance to the rival goalkeeper. Roberto, thus, made amends for his earlier lapse.
Inspired by the lead, Dempo continued to attack and could have increased the lead in the 81st minute when Anthony Pereira, after collecting a pass from Jerry Zirsanga, unleashed a shot from close, but, Sporting goalkeeper Luis Baretto brought off a fine save.
