The Hindu : Sport / Football : Venkatesh delivers for Mahindra

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Wednesday, May 17, 2006

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Sport - Football

Venkatesh delivers for Mahindra

Dempo SC crushes Turkmenistan's Merv

MARGAO: An injury-time goal by medio S. Venkatesh saw the newly NFL-crowned Mahindra United, Mumbai, get the better of the fighting Bangladeshi team Brothers Union and earn full points in its `Group `A' tie of the AFC Cup at the Fatorda Stadium here on Tuesday.

With this win, the Indian outfit took its points tally to nine from six outings, while Brothers Union remained on one point from an equal number of matches.

Earlier, Dempo SC, riding on two goals by Clifford and Beto, registered its maiden win by outplaying Merv of Turkmenistan 6-1 in its final Group `B' clash.

Mahindra, which got off to an aggressive start, came up with a couple of fine moves in the first half but faltered at crucial junctures.

Mahindra came up with its first good move as early as in the 18th minute when Yousif Yakubu's full-blooded shot hit the crossbar and deflected towards S. Venkatesh who failed to capitalise.

After the cross-over, Mahindra played with renewed vigour and could have surged ahead in the 57th minute when Yakubu went on a run and unleashed a shot that was well saved by Mohd. Ali.

Mahindra was further frustrated in the 76th minute when Mohd Ali brought off another good save by warding away Venkatesh's effort off a flag kick by Stevan Dias.

Mahindra achieved the match-winner through Venkatesh in the injury time of the second half.

In the other match, the goals for Dempo came through Johnny D'Cruz (21st minute), Sameer Naik (24th), Clifford Miranda (42nd, 78th) and Roberto Silva (69th, 81st). Merv's lone goal came through Kurban in the 89th minute.

Four points

Both the teams are out of the reckoning for a quarterfinal berth and group leader Al Nasr of Oman has already qualified. Dempo, with this win, has finished with four points from as many matches, while Merv has just a point from an equal number of matches.

In a totally one-sided affair, Dempo, which was playing for pride, started well and toyed with Merv's sloppy defence.

It shot into the lead through Johnny D'Cruz, who, after collecting a pass from Roberto Silva, unleashed a perfect shot to find the net.

Dempo increased its lead through Sameer Naik, whose right footer found the net off a pass from Renty Martin. The home team missed a chance to increase its lead in the 30th minute when Renty Martin muffed a relatively easy chance.

Merv's only noticeable move was witnessed in the 41st minute but Dempo's goalkeeper Satish Kumar smartly fended off an Arustamyan Gamlet effort.

Dempo's hardworking medio Clifford Miranda, after receiving a pass from Renty Martin from the right flank, slammed the ball into the net to make it 3-0 at half time. — Agencies

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