Dempo Sports Club emerged winners of the North Zone Goa Football Association U-14 League following their narrow 1-0 win over Goan Football Club at Dempo Academy ground, Ella-Old Goa, on Friday.
Topon Mirj scored the match-winner in the second half injury time.
Dempo SC dominated first 20th minutes. Dempo SC’s Topon and Vaibhav Naik –boht came to scoring but one saw his shot sail over the bar while the other’s effort was saved by the rival custodian.
In the second half, the young Eagles played more attacking game as coach Pradip Chopdekar made to changes introducing Rabi Pun in place of Asmon Viegas and Naythan Coutinho in place of Leethan Silveira. Dempo SC missed two clear chances in the second half when first –Naythan Coutinho on receiving the ball from Rabi Pun controlled the ball but failed to keep his composure infront of the rival goal.
In the 53th minute, Rabi’s header just went about the crossbar.
FC Goa managed to keep it 0-0 till the 70th minute.
In the 70+2 minute, Naythan Coutinho played a perfect cross to Topon Mirj who sent the entire Dempo camp into rupture when he headed home from close. Dempo Sc will play the winners of South Zone in the State final.
Dempo SC coach Pradip Chopdekar said, “I am delighted with the performance of the team and very happy that we have reached the state finals. We will put in our best to defend our title in the state final. I am extremely pleased with the performance of the team. We missed 7 players for the Junior I-League and missed out on qualification for the final round but I hope we can win the GFA League and redeem our pride,”