Nestor Dias’ late goal gives Golden Eagles their first win in five matches
MARGAO
Substitute midfielder Nestor Dias emerged as the hero for Dempo Sports Club, scoring the decisive goal in the 83rd minute to seal a crucial 1-0 victory over Delhi FC in their I-League clash at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday.
Dempo had numerous chances throughout the match but were kept at bay by Delhi FC's defense until the final stages. The breakthrough came in the 83rd minute when Nestor Dias, after receiving a well-timed through pass from substitute Kapil Hoble, outpaced the defenders and calmly chipped the ball past Delhi goalkeeper Lalmuansanga into the right corner of the net.
The match was set against the backdrop of both teams desperate to ascend the league table, having faced recent difficulties. Dempo, under the guidance of former India international Samir Naik, exhibited a more dynamic approach, characterised by rapid passing and making full use of the pitch’s width.
Delhi FC adopted a more defensive posture, aiming to absorb pressure and exploit any errors made by their opponents.
The match started with Dempo putting early pressure on Delhi FC, nearly breaking the deadlock in the 5th minute when Knerkitalang Buam's shot from Pruthvesh Pednekar’s cross was saved by Lalmuansanga. Dempo’s aggressive approach continued throughout the first half, with striker Shubham Rawat missing a great opportunity in the 20th minute when his weak shot went wide of the mark.
As the first half progressed, Delhi FC began to gain control, testing Dempo’s defense. In the 30th minute, Haridaya Jain had a powerful header saved by Dempo goalkeeper, while another attempt in the 37th minute was thwarted. Despite creating chances, the match remained goalless at halftime.
Dempo dominated the second half, with Buam missing a golden opportunity to score off a well-measured cross from Rawat. The game shifted when Hoble was introduced in the final 20 minutes, changing the dynamic of the match. It was in the 83rd minute that Nestor Dias struck, scoring his first goal of the season to give Dempo the lead.
To cap off the victory, Dias added another goal in the 88th minute, converting a penalty to secure a vital 2-0 win for Dempo.
This victory ended a five-match winless streak for Dempo, moving them up to seventh place in the standings with 14 points from 11 games, including four wins, two draws, and five losses. The five-time I-League champions will now look to build on this momentum in the coming matches.
Dempo head coach Samir Naik reflected on his team's hard-fought 1-0 victory over Delhi FC, highlighting the significance of the win. Naik said, "We delivered a solid performance in both halves, although we missed several chances that could have given us a more comfortable lead."
The coach expressed his satisfaction with the effort put in by the players throughout the match. "I'm happy with the win, and even more so for the players who worked hard for it. This victory is dedicated to the Dempo fans, who supported us greatly throughout the game," he concluded.
Meanwhile, Delhi FC owner Ranjit Bajaj found himself at the center of controversy after engaging in an argument with the supervising officials and the match commissioner, which caused a 10-minute delay to the match. Bajaj was absent when the referee went to check the players and officials, and his name was not listed on the official team sheet. However, Bajaj explained that he had stepped out to retrieve some medicine and claimed that he had been sitting on the bench for all of Delhi FC's previous matches.
