The Hindu : Sport / Football : Dempo begins in style

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Dec 05, 2008
ePaper | Mobile/PDA Version

Sport

Sport - Football

Dempo begins in style

Principal Correspondent

BARASAT: Former champion Dempo thrashed qualifier State Bank of Travancore (SBT) 3-0 in the opening Group ‘A’ league match of the 30th Federation Cup here at the Vidyasagar Stadium on Thursday. Clifford Miranda, Clifton Gonzalves and Anthony Pereira found the target.

Two quick goals in the first session and a tentative SBT defence made things easier for Dempo. Making good use of the flanks, the Goan team raided the opponent’s box frequently as the SBT defenders — especially the stopper backs Sarath B.T. and Abdul Basheer — struggled to settle down in their positions.

Dempo midfielder Miranda exposed the weakness in the SBT defence, nodding home in the 11th minute after his first attempt came off the crosspiece.

Before SBT could get over from the shock, Dempo doubled its lead a minute later. Striker Clifton Gonzalves found the target, running in unmarked to compliment a provision from Joaquim Abranches. The latter, who replaced Nigerian striker Ranty Martins, had also set up the previous goal with a neat cross from the right flank that Miranda availed.

SBT escaped a greater humiliation thanks to Climax Lawrence and Abranches, who missed from close in the 23rd and 25th minutes respectively.

Dempo found the third goal early in the second session with Anthony Pereira striking the target off an assist from Brazilian Roberto Mendes Silva — the team’s only foreigner.

The Kerala side tried to string together a reply but its efforts went futile with strikers unable to get through the tight Dempo defence.

Match drawn

In the second match held under lights, Mumbai FC held home side Chirag United SC to a goalless draw.

It was a saga of missed opportunities as both the sides played attacking football and earned opportunities in good number but failed to convert even one.

Friday’s matches: Group ‘B’: Mohammedan Sporting vs Churchill Brothers; Mahindra United vs HASC.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Sport