Mapusa (Goa): Dempo's bid to defend their title went up in smoke as they lost to Sporting Clube de Goa through a self goal by defender Rowlison Rodrigues in the 21st round of the I-League played at Duler ground here on Sunday.
Sporting, who had more possession of the ball throughout the match, managed to win through a self goal scored by Dempo's defender Rowlison Rodrigues in the 51st minute. With this win, Sporting leaped to seventh position with 29th points from 21 matches while Dempo remained at the third position with 35 points from 20 matches, eight points behind leaders Churchill Brothers.
Sporting Clube de Goa, who beat Salgaocar 3-1 in their last match, started earnestly and had the first look at the rival goal but Juanfri effort was wide off the target. Dempo, who struggled to find their rhythm initially, got into their grooves and came close to find the net as Ryuji Sueoka's header off a Anthony Pereira cross from the right was thwarted by Sporting keeper Bruno Colaco before Berlanga cleared away the ball to safety.
Midway in the first half, Sporting had a good chance to forge ahead when Freiman cross from the right saw Jovel Martins move with the ball on the left flank but ended in hitting tbe ball into the side netting.
With both the teams fighting midfield battle for a brief period, Sporting made a counter move with Juanfri releasing the ball for Kalu but before the latter could take a shot, Dempo keeper Laximani Kattimani came out and collected the ball.
Ten minutes before the interval, Sporting received a setback when their dependable defender Adil Khan had to be carried out on a stretcher after having hurt his back while attempting the header from a corner.
Sporting, who looked the better side in the first half, forged ahead in the 51st minute through a self goal. Dawson Fernandes sent a pass to Juanfri on the left, whose cross got deflected by Dempo defender Rowilson Rodrigues into his own net, before goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani could do anything.
Few minutes later, Sporting could have been 2-0 up but Dawson's header from a Jovel Martins cross went narrowly wide off the top left corner. Dempo tried to find the equaliser twice but first Anthony Pereira shot wide after being set up by Clifford Miranda in the 58th minute and later substitute Joaquim Abrnches' cross deflected off a Sporting player and fell nicely for Menyongar, who cut two opponents players including the rival keeper but failed to direct the ball on target.
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