NT Reporter
Mapusa
Sporting Clube de Goa capped off the GPL Super League 2025–26 season with a third consecutive title, even as the final day delivered drama across venues, with Dempo SC snatching runners-up spot in stoppage time and Sesa FA mounting a comeback win at Sirsaim.
At Duler, Sporting entered their final fixture with the title already secured, but FC Goa had other plans. The Young Gaurs struck early, Vellington Fernandes finishing from close range in the 10th minute before Shawn Fernandes doubled the lead soon after, calmly slotting home in a one-on-one.
Sporting, however, refused to coast. Austin Fernandes pulled one back with a powerful long-range strike, setting up a tense second half. The champions pushed for an equaliser to preserve their unbeaten home run, but FC Goa held firm with disciplined defending to seal a 2-1 victory. Despite the defeat, Sporting finished atop the table with 47 points to complete a hat-trick of titles.
GFA President Caitano Fernandes presented the trophy in the presence of executive members, marking another dominant campaign for the Panjim-based club.
At Ella, the battle for second place went down to the wire as Dempo faced Geno FC. Dempo started brightly, with Murphy Fernandes opening the scoring after reacting quickest to a rebound from Swavel Furtado’s effort. Geno responded before the break, Mohammed Rafi K heading home from Deeshank Kunkalikar’s free-kick to level the contest at 1-1.
The second half was cagey, chances few and tension high, until Dempo delivered in stoppage time. Murphy Fernandes turned provider, his delivery leading to a blocked attempt by Shreyash Naik before Mevan Dias struck decisively on the rebound to make it 2-1. The late winner lifted Dempo to 44 points, leapfrogging Clube de Salgaocar, who finished on 43, to secure the runners-up spot.
Meanwhile at Sirsaim, Sesa FA staged a comeback of their own against Chapora Yuvak Sangh. Soham Sheticar had given Chapora the lead in the first half, but Sesa responded strongly after the break, with goals from Titus Rosanglura and Pradip Aheibam sealing a 2-1 win to close their campaign on a high.
