Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy: FC Goa top Group A with hard-fought 2-1 win over Dempo SC
August 30, 2024 – Goa, India: On a muggy Friday evening at the Ella Ground in Old Goa, FC Goa delivered a determined performance to edge past Dempo SC 2-1 in their final group stage match of the Bhausaheb Bandodkar Memorial Trophy 2024. The victory ensured that the Gaurs completed their group stage campaign with a perfect record, securing their place in the semi-finals as the top team in Group A.
Earlier in the day FC Goa head Coach Manolo Marquez made six changes to the starting lineup, allowing key players like Laxmikant Kattimani, who made his debut in his second spell with the Club, Nim Dorjee, and youngsters like Muhammed Nemil, and Ayush Chhetri to step up.
The match began with both sides showing intent, but it was Dempo SC who seized the early momentum, testing Goa’s defence with a couple of promising chances. However, the Gaurs quickly found their rhythm, and the game started tilting in their favour.
Boris Singh nearly opened the scoring for them after Borja Herrera whipped in a perfect cross from the left, but his effort narrowly missed the target.
Just as the match seemed to be settling into a battle of attrition, FC Goa’s newly-signed star striker Armando Sadiku once again proved why he can be so crucial this season. In the 16th minute, a beautifully threaded through-ball from Ayush found Sadiku in space. The Albanian, with his characteristic composure, escaped his marker and slotted the ball past the Dempo goalkeeper, giving his team the lead.
The goal injected fresh energy into the Men in Orange, who continued to press forward, creating several more opportunities. Boris and Sadiku combined well again in the 37th minute, but this time, the final shot sailed just over the crossbar. Despite the pressure, Dempo SC held firm, and the half ended with FC Goa holding a slender 1-0 lead.
The second half began with a change for the Gaurs as Dejan Dražić came on for Borja Herrera, signaling Goa’s intent to keep the pressure on. However, it was Dempo who struck next.
In the 59th minute, a lapse in concentration allowed Shubham Rawat to pounce on a loose ball in the box and fire home the equaliser, bringing the home crowd to life.
But Goa responded almost immediately. Just three minutes later, a free-kick taken by Dražić from over 30 yards out found its way to Muhammed Nemil on the left flank. Nemil’s cross into the box was initially punched away by the Dempo goalkeeper, but Dražić, showing great awareness, volleyed the ball back towards goal.
Ayush Chhetri, lurking at the near post, instinctively diverted it into the bottom corner. It was a moment of sheer determination, and for Ayush, it marked his first goal in FC Goa colours – a well-deserved reward for his continuous development.
With the lead restored, FC Goa continued to dictate the tempo, creating several more chances as the clock ticked down. Substitute Aakash Sangwan came close to adding a third, but his effort at the far post missed by a whisker. In the dying moments, Carl McHugh’s long ball found Alan Saji, whose shot was well saved by the Dempo goalkeeper.
As the final whistle blew, Manolo Marquez’s boys celebrated a well-earned victory, knowing they had not only secured their spot in the semi-finals but had also done so in style, with three wins out of three and just one goal conceded.
The semi-final is now set for Tuesday, September 3, where FC Goa will face the runner-up of Group B, at the Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Fatorda.
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