PANAJI (GOA)

Dempo scored a thrilling 3-2 victory over Salgaocar to keep their hopes of qualifying for the second phase alive in the AIFF U-15 Youth League played at Ella Ground, Old Goa.

Dempo SC took just two minutes to take the lead when Sanford Colaco delivered a beautiful through ball to Stewart De Mello who finished with his first touch.

Salgaocar FC regrouped quickly and equalised in the 10th minute when Meldon Oliveira scored off a cross delivered by Britto Pereira. The Greens then started tormenting the Dempo defence and took a shock lead in the lead in the 19th minute through Aman Rajbhar, when he fired a long range shot to score from just inside the box.

However the Vasco based side could hold on to the lead for just three more minutes as Stewart De Mello met a cross from Deep Pednekar to bring the home side back on level terms.

Stewart De Mello nearly completed his hat trick just before half time when his rasping drive-after dribbling past several Salgoacar defenders- came crashing back off the post. The match was locked 2-2 at half time.

Post resumption Salgaocar FC striker Kenneth Costa attempted a powerful shot in the 50th minute which was brilliantly pushed away by Dempo SC keeper Nikhil Kariyappa.

Dempo SC took a deserving lead in the 61st minute through a brilliant counter attack that had class written all over it. Collecting the ball from deep his own half, Stewart De Mello carried the ball past the half line and sent in a pin point long range ball to Fredrich Fernandes who placed the ball neatly in the far corner.

Necio Fernandes could have made it four for the Golden Eagles however his weak shot was saved by the Salgaocar FC keeper Vellyo Silva.

Meanwhile in the Taca Goa U-20 League, Dempo Sports Club held champions Sporting Clube de Goa to a 0-0 draw at the artificial turf ground at Fatorda.