SUNDAY, MAY 12, 2024
Dempo - Churchill clash in semis
UNI
NEW DELHI, SEPT 17
Joint favourites Dempo Sports Club edged out a gutsy Army XI 1-0 in a well-contested Group III clash to enter the semi-finals of 122nd Durand Cup here tonight.
Earlier, Despite being held to a 1-1 draw by minnows Assam Rifles in their final Group I encounter, star-studded Musli Power Churchill Brothers became the first team to qualify for the semi-finals.
Star striker Ranti Martins (59th) scored the all-important goal to ensure that Dempo entered the last four stage of the tournament for the second consecutive time.
Dempo, who had thrashed Air India 4-1, thus finished the quarter-final league stage with the full six points from two matches.
Dempo will take on reigning I-League champions and fellow Goans, Churchil Brothers for a spot in the summit clash.
The Army boys had the better of the exchanges in the initial stages but once Dempo, who boasted of around seven international players in their line-up, came into their own, the match went along the expected lines.
The newly-formed combination between Ranti and Sunil Chhetri was a treat to the eyes as they ran the rival defence ragged with their clever moves.
The defence marshalled by Team India central defender Anwar stood like a rock. some anxious moments.
Dempo�s sustained pressure bore fruit soon after the break when Joachim Abranches essayed a cross from the right for an unmarked Ranti who tapped the ball into the net for an easy finish.
Meikingai Kamei gave Assam Rifles the lead in the 55th minute while Charan Rai (71st) found the equaliser for Churchill.
Churchill, the runners-up in the last edition, thus made their second semi-final in-a-row.
The reigning I-League champions have finished their quarter-final league engagements with four points from two matches as they had beaten fellow Goans, Sporting Clube de Goa 1-0 in their opening clash.
Assam Rifles did a good job in containing the dangerous Odafa Okolie, who found at least two defenders around him whenever he received the ball.
Odafa�s strike partner Reisangmi Vashum was pretty impressive in his movements and could have scored himself had he been a little more accurate with his finishes.
Assam Rifles, who played second fiddle to the Goan outfit for most of the match, played better in the second half.
Both teams failed to lift the tempo in the opening session with Churchill looking tired due to their packed schedule.
Assam Rifles took the lead against the run of play when Kamei curledin a shot from just outside the box.
Assam Rifles�s dreams of an upset win were shattered when a through from Robert Lalthlamuana released Rai who made a speedy run before shooting past the rival custodian.
Assam Rifles could have clinched the issue just before the end but Akum Ao failed to beat Arindam Bhattacharya under the Churchill bar.
