The Hindu : Sport / Football : Dempo's challenge ends

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Monday, Apr 19, 2004

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Sport - Football

Dempo's challenge ends

MARGAO, APRIL 18. Dempo's challenge to East Bengal for the title virtually ended when it was held to a goalless draw by Salgaocar in the 8th National Football League played at the Nehru stadium here today.

Dempo, which was adrift by five points at the start of the match, needed a win to stay in contention for the title, having collected 36 points from 19 matches.

East Bengal which has played one match less than Dempo is firmly placed at the top of the table with 40 points and is poised to clinch the title for the third time.

Salgaocar is placed 8th with 22 points from 19 matches.

The first half was confined to the midfield and Dempo started on a promising note but lacked the killer instinct.

The absence of Clifford Miranda was largely felt in the attack. However, it had the first chance to score early in the 5th minute when Jose Colaco relayed the ball to Prakash who after taking a defender on his stride had only to beat the goalkeeper Dastidar but ended shooting straight at him.

Salgaocar, which did not look impressive in the first half, came with renewed ideas as it attacked the rival half and could have taken lead but first Micky Fernandes failed to guide Jatin Bist's cross in the 47th minute and a minute later, Aliba failed to connect a well directed cross from Tomba Singh from the left.

Salgaocar enjoyed the edge in the second half and went all out in the dying minutes but were unlucky in the 86th minute when a cross from Jatin Bist inside the box saw Climax Lawrence's header hitting the woodwork. — PTI

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