Dempo lift maiden Durand Cup title

New Delhi, Nov 27 (UNI) A brilliant late strike by Ranti Martins sealed Dempo Sports Club Goa's maiden Durand Cup title with a solitary goal victory over JCT, Phagwara in the final here today.

Nigerian Ranti's powerful right footer in the 74th minute from the top of the box settled the issue for the Goans in an exciting and evenly contested match which saw both the sides wasting equal number of chances and their goalkeepers making some fine saves.

Dempo thus became the second side from Goa after Salgaocar to emerge champions of the third oldest tournament in the world.

Today's result also brought curtains to JCT's hopes of ending their 10-year long title drought as they had last won the tournament in 1996.

Though the match lacked the intensity of Saturday's two semi-finals, spectators turned up full house befitting the grand finale at the Ambedkar Stadium.

The action-packed first half promised a lot with both sides having at least three good chances each. But the match slowed down in the second session though the only goal of the match was scored in this period.

The match began with JCT threatening to draw the first blood as early as the second minute.

A Chidi Edeh great pass saw his strike partner Parveen Kumar running down in chase of the ball ahead of all rival defenders.

Parveen took a right turn in his attempt to get past the goalkeeper who, however, could make a faint touch on the ball which disturbed the JCT striker's balance and the ball went out after caressing Parveen's legs.

Dempo fought back immediately in the fifth minute and a Roberto Silva (Beto) right footer from inside the box, following a wall pass between him and Ranty, was on target but JCT goalkeeper Kalyan Choubey made a fine diving save for corner.

The Punjab side had another close shave in the 16th minute with dangerous Ranti threatening the JCT goal. The Nigerian's right footer from a Silva pass was blocked by goalkeeper but after a tussle, Ranti was able to round off the goalkeeper and lob the ball towards the empty net only to be headed away to safety by JCT defender Jaspal Singh.

Two minutes later, it was JCT's turn to attack the Dempo goal and a Baldeep Singh aerial ball into the rival box beat the defenders and Chidi pushed ahead the ball towards the goal.

Defender Valeriano Rebelo's attempted clearance was misdirected and the ball sailed towards the goal and an out of position goalkeeper Satish Kumar recovered in time to fist over the ball for a corner.

The action swung back again to JCT goal but this time an Anthony Perreira left footer, after the ball was deflected by a defender following a Samir Naik long throw in from the left touchl line, was saved by goalkeeper Kalyan Choubey from a handsacking distance.

Three minute from the breather, hardworking JCT midfielder Adebayo Tokunbo's shot from close range was on target but hit the back of Dempo player Isfaq Ahmed after the goalkeeper had dived in the wrong direction.

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