The Hindu : Sport / Football : Ranti Martins's strike sinks East Bengal

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Sunday, Dec 24, 2006
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Ranti Martins's strike sinks East Bengal

Principal Correspondent

KOLKATA: Dempo SC sent East Bengal packing with a late goal to move into the semifinals of the Federation Cup football tournament. The third quarterfinal at the Salt Lake Stadium here on Saturday saw the Goan side score an 86th minute goal through Nigerian striker Ranti Martins to end the hopes of the home side.

In the semifinals, Dempo will meet the winner of the last quarterfinal match between Mohun Bagan and Churchill Brothers on Sunday.

The absence of a good striker seemed to trouble East Bengal as it squandered a handful of chances. With the strikers — Rahim Nabi and Izumi Irata — failing to deliver, East Bengal looked up to midfielder Dipankar Roy.

Dempo's Brazilian recruit Beto troubled the opposition repeatedly. East Bengal had an opportunity in the 14th minute but Debatrata Roy failed to connect the cross from Arata — the Japanese player of Indian origin picked up in the specific quota initiated by the AIFF.

In the second session, East Bengal introduced a third forward Fredy Mascarenhas.

The action livened up in the 84th minute as East Bengal got ready for the final charge. The effort opened up the Dempo's defence twice but the goal remained elusive. Malswamtlanga's shot off a cross from Dipankar Roy cross was saved on the line by Dempo defender Samir Naik. A minute later it was Mascarenhas trying out a brilliant side volley but the Dempo custodian Satish Kumar made a diving save to keep the visitor safe.

Dempo found the goal through Ranti Martins, who got himself in the right position to avail a rebound after Beto took the first try with a rasping shot that came off the East Bengal custodian Naseem Akhtar.

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