SESA Triumphs in Goa, Books Spot for Dream Sports Championship 2025 Finals

SESA Football Academy clinched a spot in the Dream Sports Championship 2025 National Finals by defeating Dempo SC in the Goa regional round on penalties. Despite a 2-2 match result, SESA goalkeeper Sakib Lamture's heroics saw his team through with a 4-2 penalty shootout victory.

SESA Football Academy secured a place in the National Finals of the Dream Sports Championship 2025 following a dramatic penalty shootout victory against Dempo SC on Friday. Hosted in the Goa regional round finals at the Fields of Dreams, the match ended in a 2-2 draw but saw SESA triumph 4-2 on penalties, thanks to the exceptional performance of their goalkeeper, Sakib Lamture.

The game began with SESA establishing an early lead through Aniket Terane's goal in the 14th minute, followed by Pramod Gawas doubling their advantage in the 63rd minute. With victory seemingly assured, Dempo SC mounted a comeback, narrowing the deficit through Jonathan Silva's goal in the 73rd minute and equalizing in the dying moments of the game with a strike from Jodric Abranches.

During the ensuing penalty shootout, Dempo's Jodric Abranches and Pradip Kullu managed to score, but Favio Martins missed his attempt, while Juvenio Simoes had his shot saved by the SESA goalkeeper. SESA, meanwhile, saw only Anmesh Majik's penalty saved, while Aniket Terane, Pramod Gawas, Leo Soram, and goalkeeper Sakib Lamture successfully converted their shots, sealing the victory.

As the best losing regional finalists, Dempo SC will also join the finalists' lineup, featuring regional winners SESA Football Academy (Goa), Punjab FC (Delhi), Chennaiyin FC (Bengaluru), Reliance Foundation Young Champs (Mumbai), Mohun Bagan Super Giant (Kolkata), and Football 4 Change (Guwahati). The National Finals will be held in Goa in April 2025.