Dempo jack up in league table after 2-0 win over Md Sporting

Kolkata, Nov 20 (UNI) One goal apiece from Anthony Perreira and Ranty Martin in first session enabled Dempo to notch up a 2-0 win over Mohammedan Sporting and bag the vital fourth place with 14 points in the Indian League here today.

Perreira's ninth minute left footer and Ranty Martin's grounder five minutes before water break were enough for the visitors, who played like the champion club of India against the local giant, who were hamstrung by the absence of mercurial Theodore Sunday and Mike Okoro.

Dempo now have two big games - East Bengal and Mahindra United- to complete the first leg and catch up with leader Sporting Clube de Goa with 19 points followed by Air India's sixteen.

Dempo are now on the same pole position with Churchill Brothers, but the latter have better goal average 16/10 compared to former's 15/9.

Captain Climax Lawrence, who was man-of-the-match, was a key player leading his boys from everywhere and thwarting attacks from rivals.

Perreira struck from his right foot on a return ball from Md Sporting goalie Tharangachan, who repulsed a pilediver from Sameer Naik minutes before Tharangachan fisted out a Beto's stinging shot.

Dempo's first goal marked the 100th goal of this championship.

Ranty Martin's goal was his seventh and came after Joaquim's shot was fisted out by Md Sporting custodian, who was replaced for leg injury in the 65th minute. Lurking Ranty swooped down on the ball and with a u-turn sent a grounder before the goalkeeper could take position.

Ranty was the second best scorer after Okolie Odafa's ten goals.

Earlier, Dempo's Satish Kumar saved two shots from Jothikumar and Gurpreet Singh respectively. Four minutes into the second half Jothikumar and Gautam Thakur had fair chance to score but they were clueless on target.

Perreira had also a rosy chance in the final minutes but his shot went wide with second goalkeeper Nasheem Akhtar only at his mercy.

The defeat was a threat to newcomer Md Sporting for relegation in the 12-team tournament as the city club remained with nine points from as many games and was placed in the ninth position, just ahead of Mahindra United, United SC and Vasco.

Coach Armando Colaco said he was happy with his boys's successive wins but said they will have tough time as expectation from fans was high after last year win.

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