Joy Ferrao snatched a last gasp winner as Dempo SC beat the AIFF Elite Academy 2-1in a return friendly fixture on at SESA Football Ground in Sircaim.

Dempo SC looked keen to make amends by introducing their stars from FC Goa, featuring in the ongoing Hero Indian Super league. A strategic play by Dempo SC’s Head Coach Arthur Papas, playing Holicharany Narzary in front of Alwyn George contributed a focal point to their attack, while their Portuguese winger Miguel Herlein showed some drive and pace.

Dempo SC relished the maximum possession of the game while the AIFF colts decided to park themselves at the back and sniffed for the well-timed counter attack. Both the teams showed persistence in attack as well in quickly systematising themselves in defence.

AIFF’s passing machine Hayden Fernandes started orchestrating the play in the midfield, while Rakesh Oram’s high-fuelled runs on the wings, gripped the proceeding towards the end of the first half but neither goal keepers were duly tested.

At the half-time the score was 0-0.

Milan Basumatary broke the dry spell in a stunning fashion after the interval, the fortune hunter latched onto the clearance from the left whipping the whole defence of Dempo SC before placing it low past the rival goalkeeper.

Dempo’s comeback was quick and in an identical fashion with Uttam Rai leaping above the AIFF defence to head home the cross from Gremanpreet.

An introduction of Joy Ferrao by Papas in attacking mid-fielder’s roles gave more attacking traction; the score could have been more one-sided for Dempo but the AIFF indebted the acrobatic stretch from Goal Keeper Arshdeep Singh denying Joy Ferrao’s Pile-driver from 20 yards and Uttam Rai’s header screaming towards goal.

The defensive lapse in the dying minutes of the game gave the Dempo a chance to take the lead in which they did not squandered the opportunity. Joy Ferrao spear-headed the cross from Myron Fernandes from the point blank range to put Dempo ahead.

The next friendly game is scheduled on November 22.

(Report & Picture courtesy AIFF Media)