TEAM HERALD

sports@herald-goa.com

MARGAO: Defending champions Dempo uncorked champagne stuff as they trounced Kolkata’s Mohun Bagan 3-0 in an eight round match of I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Wednesday. Dempo led 2-0 at the breather.

Dinesh Sakhalkar SURE SHOT: Dempo’s Ryuji Sueoka converting the spot  kick against outstretched Mohun Bagan goalkeeper  Shilton Paul at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, Wednesday.

Head coach Armando Colaco did well to produce a solid combined performance and garner full three points.

Dempo took off in an attacking mode and maintained the momentum right through. Strikers Ryuji Sueoka and Joaquim Abranches combined well with midfielders Clifford Miranda, Peter Carvalho, Anthony Pereira and Godwin Franco, who later was adjudged man-of-the-match to put the rivals under tremendous pressure.

The Dempo defence marshalled by central defenders Mahesh Gawli and Rowilson Rodrigues, Samir Naik and Debabrata Roy showed fine anticipation and alertness as they came up with timely tackles to frustrate the Mohun Bagan strikers - Odafe Okolie and Cyprian Stanley.

Dempo set the pace as early as the second  minute when midfielder Godwin’s well executed free kick rocked the crossbar from 20 yards after Abranches was fouled by Aiborlang Khonglee.

Dempo came close to breaking the deadlock but Seuoka’s smart header missed the target narrowly after Clifford had laid him a pass.

Mohun Bagan, who were struggling to catch up with the brisk pace of the rivals, came close to foisting the lead in the 8th minute when Odafe found Sabbeth Sathyan. However, the latter fired straight into the hands of Dempo goalkeeper Subhaish.

Mohan Bagan had a golden chance to surge ahead in the 28th minute as Biswajit Saha picked a misspass from defender Rowilson and found Odafe who raced into the box but directed his shot wide from close range.

Abranches opened the scoring in the 40th minute as Seuoka received a pass from Samir and sent a through to Romeo who sent a defence splitting pass to Abranches to  slot past Shilton Paul with a clinical finish.

Four minutes later, Sueoka made it 2-0 when he converted the spot kick. The penalty was awarded as defender Nirmal Chettri brought down Peter Carvalho inside the rival box. Crossing over, the home team picked up from where they had left with their waistline asserting with aplomb. In the 55th minute Biswajit Saha was red carded by the referee for a serious foul on Godwin.

Dempo scored the third in the 71^st minute as Godwin timed his run to perfection to meet a deflection from a rival defender following a flag kick taken by Abranches.

Dempo created several scoring chances but substitute Rohan Rickets, who displayed artistic footwork, and substitute Romeo Fernandes’ attempts were blocked by Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul. Mohun Bagan introduced fresh legs but these yielded no results.

With this win, Dempo collected 19 points from eight matches while Mohun Bagan stay with 11 points.

Armando was pleased with his team’s showing. “Everything worked well. I am pleased with the performance of the boys. Godwin’s goal had an element of class. We played a good game,” remarked Armando.