MARGAO
Former champions Dempo came up with a top display as they blanked FC Bengaluru United 2-0 in the away game of I-League 2, at Padukone and Dravid for Sports Excellence, Bengaluru, on Wednesday.
The dominant win saw Dempo pull themselves back in contention for a place in the I-League race.
A goal from Necio Maristo Fernandes (18th minute) and Rahul Kumar Paswan (31st minute) earned Dempo all three points.
SC Bengaluru currently top the group with 21 points, while FC Bengaluru have been displaced to second spot with 19 points while Dempo occupy third spot with 17 points.
Dempo made a whirlwind start with their star attacking midfielder Necio Fernandes producing a powerful strike from outside the box which eluded the rival goalkeeper Vishal Joon in the 18th minute off a well measured cross from Darrell Mascarenhas.
Dempo doubled their lead in a more emphatic way with Necio Fernandes sending in a superb cross from the rightf to Rahul Kumar Paswan whose strike was shot firmly down into the goal.
FC Bengaluru United had few incisive attempts at the goal which went far and wide or were scuttled by agile goalkeeper Sangramjit Roy Chowdhury.
The complexion of the game completely changed after the change of ends, however, Dempo came out looking for a way back. FC Bengaluru United were happy to sit back and hit on the counter, though they were not as successful at the latter. The Bengaluru team pulled one back in the 59th minute from a melee inside the box when substitute Rishabh Dobriyal produced a moment of brilliance as he punted the ball to the far corner of the net.
FC Bengaluru United came back strongly and their forwards Jerry Pulamite and midfielder Ashley Koli troubled the rival defence but they refused to budge in.
Dempo head coach Samir Naik stressed the importance of his side’s 2-1 victory over FC Bengaluru United. “I am very satisfied with the team’s performance against Bengaluru team the match and what. I am very satisfied with the team and what we achieved today in winning by 2-1,” he said.
The Dempo head coach continued: “We had played well and dominated the match and got many chances. In the second half, we were unable to translate these opportunities into goals. We returned to the match with full force and achieved this victory, which was well-deserved.”
“We will continue to work in preparation for the next match against SC Bengaluru. Focus and hard work will give us the victory we need to be in the title race," he concluded.
