The Hindu : Sport / Football : Dempo downs Churchill Brothers

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Apr 23, 2004

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Dempo downs Churchill Brothers

MARGAO, APRIL 22. R. C. Prakash's brace guided Dempo to a 2-0 victory over Churchill Brothers in the National Football League match at the Nehru stadium, Fatorda here on Thursday. Prakash scored in the 34th and 60th minutes of the match.

Dempo boosted its tally to 39 points, one less then league leader East Bengal. Dempo has so far registered 10 wins, nine draws and one defeat from 20 outings.

Churchill Brothers stayed fourth with 32 points from 20 matches.

Dempo had the better of exchanges in the first session and came up with a good move in the 21st minute. It could have surged ahead had Prakash connected a measured pass by Wilton Gomes in front of the goal.

Churchill also had a chance to score in the 32nd minute, but Dempo goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal brought off a brilliant diving save off a powerful volley from Bejamin Ansah from close range.

Dempo shot into the lead in the 34th minute of the first half when Prakash made amends for his earlier lapse. He snatched the ball from one of the midfielders, dodged Churchill defender Osumani Hussani and beat goalkeeper Mark Mascarenhas.

Dempo continued to attack in the second half and increased its lead in the 60th minute. Prakash's pass to Johny D'Cruze and the latter's weak shot was not taken cleanly by rival goalkeeper. Prakash, who was lurking inside the goal, pounced on the opportunity and shot into the net.

Churchill made desperate attempts to reduce the margin in the second half but without much luck. In the 58th minute, Riston Rodrigues' shot went wide and in the 81st Rajesh Meetei's long ranger shot was fisted by Dempo goalkeeper Abhijit Mondal. — UNI

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