Dempo hold Mahindras, stay at basement

Dempo, with several youngsters in their ranks, held on gamely and also came within striking range on a couple of occasions. But poor markmanship by left-winger Levy Coelho and Socorinho Silveira deprived them of certain goals. The other good try by Edwin Fernandes was tipped over by Mahindra goalkeeper Virender Singh.

Dempo’s Iranian coach Ahmad Sanjari, who is leaving for Iran on Thursday, was happy with the result. He, however, stated that the league was played in too short a period over here than in Iran where 10 games were spread over three months. In his absence, former Dempo stars Maurice Alfonso and Camillo Gonsalves, will take over.

Mahindras’ coach-cum-manager Harish Rao looked unhappy. He had no clue as to why his team fumbles against unfancied sides. He, however, stated that the present team had performed admirably than in the past three editions of the championships.

Dempo’s first chance came in the 10th minute. Levy Coelho was ideally placed at the top of the box and had only Virender to beat. But the winger short hastily and straight into the ‘keeper’s hands.

Six minutes later, Dempo were lucky. Rival striker Manjit Singh had the mortification of seeing his header, off a cross from the right by Abbas Ali Rizvi, rebound off the upright to Dempo goalkeeper Vikrant Sharma.

Rizvi initiated another good move when he neatly found Mohammed Najeeb with a long through on the left flank. Najeeb outpaced the entire Dempo defence but shot inches wide off the far post.

At the other end, Virender brought off a fine save when he dived forward and cut off a Levy goalmouth cross before striker Ahmadi Seied could connect home.

In the 67th minute, Rizvi and Najeeb were involved in a fine heading bout in the goal area. But goalkeeper Sharma, who showed fine anticipation, dashed their hopes when he collected the ball with a timely charge.

Kenice Uche, who came in for the last 15 minutes, had the ball in the Dempo net. But the goal was disallowed as Najeeb, who took the first try, was pulled up for offside before Kenice headed the ball home.

Dempo could have had the last laugh in the dying minutes. But unfortunately for them, Silveira shot over from close after midfielder Behzad Omri, who had a fine day, had done the spadework.

Salgaocar stunned

THRISSUR: FC Kochin did Mohun Bagan a big favour with a 2-0 victory over Salgaocar Sports Club here on Wednesday. The Kerala team’s win ensured that the title will travel to Calcutta this time. The 110-year-old Mohun Bagan have recaptured the title after a gap of one year.

With Salgaocar losing, Bagan’s lead in the league table is unassailable. The only team that could have caught up with Bagan was the Goan team provided they won their remaining three matches, including that of Wednesday’s.

Bagan have 44 points from 20 outings, with 13 victories, five draws and two defeats and two games still in hand. Salgaocar keep the second spot with 36 points from 20 encounters. The victory took FC Kochin (31 points off 19 games), one spot upto fifth place, pipping JCT (also on 31 pts) on better goal average.

FC Kochin’s Liberian-import Issac Tondo opened the account in the 18th minute and Noel Wilson doubled the margin, converting a penalty kick three minutes from the whistle.

FC Kochin displayed better cohesion and held the upperhand mostly through the match. The return of Noushad and Mahesh Gawli gave bite to their midfield. IM Vijayan’s absence all but the last 10 minutes was made up by Tondo who caused havoc time and again at the rival goal.