Dempo score once to secure berth

Kolkata, Dec 20 (UNI) Antony Perera's goal was the only dab of colour in the otherwise drab outing that Dempo won 1-0 against HAL at the Salt Lake Stadium here today.

Dempo's Valeriand Robgelo pile-driver shook the wood work as early as the 10th minute of the match and three minutes later Kuttimani almost scored for HAL.

These were the other two moments of brilliance in the pre-quarter-final outing of Federation Cup.

Ranti Martin's snap shot on the half turn took a deflection, but goalkeeper Gumphe Rime recovered well to get his hand in the way and avert the danger.

But the ever opportunist, Perera was lurking close and his feeble push completed the ritual. Dempo 1-0 up after 26 minutes of play.

Earlier both sides started off the game in blistering pace and the end-to-end affair promised a lip smacking affair on a day when India slipped to 157th position in the world socecr.

Robgelo unleashed a powerful grounder, which went past a diving Rime but hit the post midway through teh first half. The combination of Robgelo, Ranti and Jerry Zirasanga combined well and their clever play put the HAL defence in a spot of bother.

But the boys from Bangalore were not to bogged down by the onslaught and India under-20 star Reisangmi Vashum and Raghui Singh showed a few skills of their own.

Their effort paid off when HAL got a corner. But Kuttimani's effort from the Raghui corner sailed over the top.

The second half also produced equally drab football. Dempo were happy to sit back on their lead and HAL did nothing to take up the initiative and go for the equaliser.

However, skipper Roberto Silva Mendes could have added to Dempo's lead, but his header from a Clifford Miranda corner lacked direction.

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