Sporting pips Dempo 2-1, tops table with 16 points

Duler, Goa Sept 16 (UNI) Nigerian Dudu Omagbhemi's 87th minute goal today enabled title aspirant Sporting Club de Goa brush aside the challenge from defending champions Dempo sports club 2-1 and climb at the top of the table after their crucial last league match of the first leg of the GFA's Hutch Professional football league championship here today.

The sporting goal came through Joe Rodrigues in the injury minute of the first half and Dudu Omaghbhemi in the 87th minute while Dempo's lone goal came through Joquim Ambranches in the 52nd minute.

With this win Sporting took their points tally to 16 points from seven outings while Dempo remained on the same 13 points from equal number of matches.

As the ground was slippery due to rain, no penetrating moves were seen for the major part of the first half though both the teams were making efforts to find their bearings, but sporting managed to move ahead during the injury minute of the first half through Joe Rodrigues, when Rajesh Meteei from the right flank gave a cross pass to Rodrigues, whose left footer completely beaten the rival goalkeeper and found the net and Sporting were leading by 1-0 at the breather.

After cross over, Dempo played with renewed vigour and restored the parity in the 52nd minute through Joquim Ambranches who headed in a cross pass received from Antony Pereira1-1.

Sporting increase their lead in the 87th minute through Dudu Omagbhemi, who was brought down by Dempo's Cressan Antao outside the box, refree awarded a free kick for sporting. Dudu himself took the direct free kick which found the net 2-1.

In the other match played at Tilak ground Vasco de Gama, Salgaocar edged out Vasco Sports club by 1-0 and earned full points.

After barren first half, the all important goal for Salgaocar came in the 84th minute through Patrick Okonji off a pass from R C Prakash which ultimately turned out to be the match winner.

Salgaocar with this increased their points tally to 13 points while Vasco remained on same 7 points from seven outings each.

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