Salgaocar FC come from behind to beat Dempo SC 2-1 in U19 I-league

Salgaocar FC’s U-19 striker Naro Hari jumps highest to head home the equaliser

In a thrilling encounter, Salgaocar FC’s U-19s put on a terrific second half display to overturn a one-goal deficit and secure 3 points in their U-19 I-League opener against traditional rivals Dempo SC.

The Greens started the match on a positive note and almost broke the deadlock in the 5^th minute when a shot from Naro Hari beat an advancing Alison Fernandes in the Dempo goal but unfortunately rolled agonisingly wide of the keeper’s left post. Thereafter, the game all was mostly confined to the midfield with neither side able to assert themselves. Erratic and wayward passing contributed to a large extent to a rather slow first 45 minutes and both the teams went into the breather at 0-0.

The second half brought goals

The second half started on in much the same vein for the Greens as the first half had, with Naro Hari coming close once again to breaking the deadlock after his power-packed shot from inside the box thundered against the cross bar and sailed over. However, in the 49^th minute it was Dempo who broke the deadlock. A harmless long ball played from the back resulted in a terrible mix-up between defender Constancio Rodrigues and Goal keep Chinmaya Behera, allowing the Dempo captain Aaron Rodrigues to steal the ball and calmly slot home.

The goal however seemed to spur the Salgaocar lads as it was wave after wave of attack thereafter by the team in green. Goalkeeper Alison Fernandes came to his side’s rescue time and again, on one particular occasion effecting a brilliant double save at the hour mark. In the 69^th minute, another fine save by the keeper had resulted in a corner. From the ensuing corner, a brilliant header from Naro Hari, who kept winning aerial balls all through the match, dipped into the top right corner, thereby levelling the scores.

Spurred on by the goal, the Greens attacked with even more intent but it was the introduction of talented 16-year-old Liston Colaco in the 80^th minute that proved to be decisive. After creating a few chances and having a crack at goal after his introduction, he went on to win a 50-50 ball near the centre line in the 89^th minute. He darted down the right flank and whipped in a teasing cross along the carpet for Denil Rebello who was steaming in to meet at the far post and slot across the keeper’s left to send his team-mates and coaching staff into euphoria.