Dempo tame Mohun Bagan
HERALD CORRESPONDENT
MARGAO, MARCH 10
Defending champions Dempo Sports Club had things their own way when tamed Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan 4-1 in a lopsided 18th round match of I-League at Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Thursday. Dempo led 2-0 at half time.
Man-of-the-match, international midfielder Clifford Miranda was the star of the day as he struck a fine brace, while international midfielder Climax Lawrence and Nigerian striker Ranty Martins got a goal each. Nigerian striker Subair Muritala Ali reduced the margin for Mohun Bagan.
Despite several injury worries for chief coach Armando Colaco, Dempo did well to produce a solid combined effort and garner full three points.
Playing in front of a good crowd at Fatorda, Dempo took off in an attacking mode and maintained momentum right through.
Dempo’s superior agility was far too much for Kolkata who struggled to move their men forward on the break. Brazilian striker Roberto Mendes da Silva put up a stellar performance. He was instrumental in providing some measured passes to his teammates to keep the rival defenders on their toes.
The Dempo defence with central defenders international Mahesh Gawli and Domnic Noronha, Samir Naik and Debabrata Roy was compact. Mahesh and Domnick showed fine anticipation and alertness as they came up with timely tackles to frustrate Bagan’s strikers. Edeh Chidi and Subair Muritala Ali were unable to break free from the two Dempo central defenders.
Dempo fired the first salvo in the 26th minute through midfielder Climax Lawrence. Climax timed his run perfectly to meet playmaker Robert Mendes da Silva swerving cross from the right and beat Mohun Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul with a glancing header to put Dempo in front.
Four minutes later, Dempo doubled the lead following a swift counter by striker Ranty from the left before finding midfielder Clifford Miranda who beat his marker on the left and flicked the ball with a left footed drive to keep Bagan’s custodian Shilton Paul stunned.
A couple of minutes later, Dempo nearly inflated their tally but Clifford spurned an easy chance by sending the ball wide from handshaking distance off a cross from Samir on the right.
Earlier, Mohun Bagan had scoring chances but Dempo goalkeeper Subhasish Chowdhary came to his side’s rescue thwarting Muritala’s snap shot and later again Chowdhary blocked Muritala’s rasping drive.
No sooner did the second half start, Dempo slotted home with captain and Nigerian striker Ranty doing the honour this time. Following a well measured cross from the left, striker Ranty beat Bagan stopper back Anwar Ali and sent a header which eluded Bagan goalkeeper Shilton Paul in the 46th minute.
Stunned by the 3-0 cushion, Mohun Bagan had their chances with Dempo goalkeeper Chowdhary blocking a strike from Edeh. Later, Muritala shot wide.
After a minor hiccup, Dempo attacked with vigour but midfielder Climax Lawrence muffed an easy scoring chance with only the rival keeper at his mercy when he ballooned over.
Earlier, Mohun Bagan made a desperate substitution bringing in Sangram Mukherjee in place of Shilton Paul.
Ranty missed a sure goal following Roberto’s chip from the left striker as goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee fisted the ball and later Anwar Ali cleared it to safety on the goalline in the 67th minute.
Midfielder Clifford Miranda added insult to injury in the 75th minute surging with a well measured pass from Roberto and slotting it calmly past Mohun Bagan goalkeeper to complete the rout.
Mohun Bagan reinforced their attack bringing veteran Brazilian striker Jose Barretto in place of roving midfielder Snehasish Chakraborthy.
Nigerian striker Subair Muritala Ali pulled one back following a deflection off a rival defender at the stroke of full time.
With this win, Dempo collected 34 points. Mohun Bagan have 25 points.
Pleased with the victory, Armando Colaco said, “ We played a good game and I am satisfied with the performance. This win is a big boost for the AFC Cup match against the Lebanon Club in Lebanon on March 15.”
