Dempo, Vasco in exciting draw

Goa teams Dempo and Vasco settled for a point each after playing out an exciting 2-2 draw in a Round 14 clash of the I-League at the Nehru stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Sunday.

Uzbekistan strikers Sherzad Nazarov and Yorkin Nazarov scored a goal each for Vasco while Clifford Miranda and skipper Climax Lawrence saved Dempo the blushes.

Dempo were jolted very early after Uzbekistan striker Sherzad Nazarov curled a free-kick past the wall to give his side the lead as early as the third minute of play.

However, they drew level in the 27th minute after a cross from Valerian Rebello saw Brazilian Roberto Mendes da Silva and Ranty Martins both missing in quick succession inside the danger zone, before Miranda managed to get a faint touch and divert the cross into the nylons.

The teams were tied 1-1 at half time.

Even after being a goal down, Dempo was the more dominant side. Martins and Anthony Pereira combined well upfront but were unlucky as the ball either hit the goalpost or sailed inches wide.

In the second session, Vasco again took the lead through Uzbekistan striker Yorkin Nazarov, who was on hand to tap a nice cross from the right flank by Lester Fernandes in the 78th minute.

But Vasco's hopes of taking home full points were dashed when Climax Lawrence found the equalizer for Dempo three minutes from time.