Soares equalises for Dempo

MARGAO, February 11: It was a moment of one denying the other of being the man of the moment. Dempo Sports Club custodian Dominic D'Souza ev...

MARGAO, February 11: It was a moment of one denying the other of being the man of the moment. Dempo Sports Club custodian Dominic D’Souza eventually won the one-to-one confrontation with Churchill Brothers’ Anit Ghosh, an effort which helped his team split goals and point in the Philips National Football League (NFL) at the Nehru Stadium here today.

Earlier, Churchill, after knocking the crosspiece twice in the first-half, managed to take first-half lead through Chibuzor Nwakanma. His effort was, however, neutralised by medio Brazilian Joao Soares in the 78th minute.

The draw thus enhanced Churchill’s tally to 12 points from 11 games while Dempo have 10 from as many matches after their fourth draw of the League today. The only consolation for Dempo — this was their best result against Churchill this season.

With just under a minute to go for lemon time, Chibuzor struck. Surmani, moving up on the right wing, chipped well to find Chibuzor on the edge of the box. Receiving well and with custodian D’Souzaleaving his charge to foil the bid, Chibuzor just had a simple placement ahead of him. He did that, to the second post, a fraction before D’Souza converged on him.

Dempo levelled terms in what could be termed the best co-ordinated move of the match. A one-two short-pass exchanged by Santano Colaco and Soares clinically split the defence. Soares tucked it to the left of the custodian (1-1).

A last minute surge by Churchill saw referee K Shankar pull up Itocha Singh after being played with a through pass from just outside the box by Chibuzor. Anit, who stepped up to take the kick, failed in his placement, allowing D’Souza move marginally to his right to block the low effort.