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Dempo storms into semifinals

Principal Correspondent

BARASAT: Dempo SC of Goa assured itself a place in the semifinals of the 30th Federation Cup football tournament thrashing local challenger Chirag United 5-0 in a Group ‘A’ league match at the Vidyasagar Stadium on Sunday.

In another match in the same group an injury-time penalty helped State Bank of Travancore (SBT) hold fancied Mumbai FC to a 3-3 draw.

With six points from two successive wins and with just one round remaining Dempo is in an unassailable position in the group.

Continuing its fine form in the tournament Dempo piled up the big score with a brace each from Nigerian Ranty Martins and Brazilian Roberto Silva, while Joaquim Abranches drew first blood.

High on confidence

Riding high on confidence after its 3-0 win over SBT in the opening round, Dempo took the lead in the 23rd minute through Abranches. Martins and Silva, who scored on alternate attempts, took over thereafter.

Chirag had its defenders to blame for the defeat as they allowed the opponents to score at will.

With Abranches giving good assistance to the attackers, the Dempo goal-count swelled. Martins made it 2-0 before half-time nodding home a cross from Abranches.

Following the break Dempo found the net again in the 53rd minute. This time it was Silva’s turn to make full use of another Abranches assist.

Chirag was reduced to 10 men in the 80th minute when defender Daniel Bidemi was booked for the second time after tackling Clifford Miranda inside the penalty area.

The resultant penalty was converted by Martins (4-0). Silva rounded off the scoring with a brilliant shot in the injury time.

SBT and Mumbai FC were tied 1-1 at the half-time with Kalia Kulothungan (seventh minute) and Martyn John (28th) scoring for their respective sides.

The Mumbai side raced to a 3-1 lead by the 70th minute with Paul Anthony (own goal, 57th) and Felix Aboagye scoring.

Bouncing back

But SBT bounced back at the fag end of the match and equalised with two late goals. R. Kannan made it 3-2 in the 90th minute before Abdul Basheer scored the equaliser off an injury-time penalty.

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