KOLKATA, Dec 22 : Dempo weathered a spirited resistance from the youthful Pailan Arrows before scrapping through to a 2-1 win in the 12th round of the I-League at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium on Saturday.
Joaquim Abranches played his role as striker to perfection scoring both the Dempo goals. Milan Singh scored from the spot to find the lone reply for Arrows.
Desperate to get back the winning rhythm after the demoralising 1-5 loss against Pune FC in the previous round, Dempo fulfilled its objective with difficulty as the developmental side of the All India Football Federation put up a tough challenge.
Dempo should be thankful to a freak mistake of the Arrows goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, who failed to secure a loose ball and jumbled up a simple collection around his own box in the ninth minute. Dempo forward Joaquim Abranches flew in from nowhere to snatch the ball from the Arrows custodian and slotted home the gifted opportunity.
The early concession complicated the plot for Arrows, who showed the right discipline and creativeness in their build-ups. But the future Indian team aspirants drew arrears in the attacking third where their finishing left lot to be desired.
This was evident in the 32nd minute when the Arrows forward Holicharan Narzary, who went unchallenged inside the Dempo box receiving a neat pass from the midfield. But the player put too much power in his cross across the Dempo goal never allowing his upfront colleague Alwyn George the time to connect it.
Holicharan failed to connect another assist from George in the 42nd minute as Valeriano Rebello cleared it to safety.
Arrows won a penalty from the resultant corner as the Dempo defender Selwyn Fernandes handled the ball inside own box trying to block a sharp header from George. Milan Singh found the net from the spot to fetch the equaliser for Arrows in the 45th minute.
Dempo found the decider in the 59th minute when Abranches realised another moment of spectacular finishing. The Dempo forward made no mistake with a powerful left-footer from the top of the Arrows box once he was set up by a snap header from upfront by colleague Koko Sakibo.
Arrows tried to get back into the game but their efforts failed to get the better of an organised Dempo defence.
Dempo tallied 28 points from 12 matches while Arrows remained on 14 points from 11 matches.
Joaquim Abranches played his role as striker to perfection scoring both the Dempo goals. Milan Singh scored from the spot to find the lone reply for Arrows.
Desperate to get back the winning rhythm after the demoralising 1-5 loss against Pune FC in the previous round, Dempo fulfilled its objective with difficulty as the developmental side of the All India Football Federation put up a tough challenge.
Dempo should be thankful to a freak mistake of the Arrows goalkeeper Ravi Kumar, who failed to secure a loose ball and jumbled up a simple collection around his own box in the ninth minute. Dempo forward Joaquim Abranches flew in from nowhere to snatch the ball from the Arrows custodian and slotted home the gifted opportunity.
The early concession complicated the plot for Arrows, who showed the right discipline and creativeness in their build-ups. But the future Indian team aspirants drew arrears in the attacking third where their finishing left lot to be desired.
This was evident in the 32nd minute when the Arrows forward Holicharan Narzary, who went unchallenged inside the Dempo box receiving a neat pass from the midfield. But the player put too much power in his cross across the Dempo goal never allowing his upfront colleague Alwyn George the time to connect it.
Holicharan failed to connect another assist from George in the 42nd minute as Valeriano Rebello cleared it to safety.
Arrows won a penalty from the resultant corner as the Dempo defender Selwyn Fernandes handled the ball inside own box trying to block a sharp header from George. Milan Singh found the net from the spot to fetch the equaliser for Arrows in the 45th minute.
Dempo found the decider in the 59th minute when Abranches realised another moment of spectacular finishing. The Dempo forward made no mistake with a powerful left-footer from the top of the Arrows box once he was set up by a snap header from upfront by colleague Koko Sakibo.
Arrows tried to get back into the game but their efforts failed to get the better of an organised Dempo defence.
Dempo tallied 28 points from 12 matches while Arrows remained on 14 points from 11 matches.
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