Roberto, Renty guide Dempo to 5-3 win over East Bengal

Margao, Apr 22( UNI) Powered by a volley of goals by man of the match Roberto Silva and Renty Martin, title contenders Dempo Sports Club humbled Kolkata's East Bengal 5-3 and maintained their place at the top of the table in the 15th round of the ONGC NFL match here at Nehru stadium Fatorda today.

Roberto Silva scored twice in the (2nd, 73rd) minute, Renty Martin pumbed in two more (19th, 85th) minute and John Dias made it five in the (84th) minute for Dempo.

For east Bengal Edmilson Pardal scored in the (32nd win white Ashim Biswas scored in the (44th) minute.

With this win, Dempo are sitting comfortably at the top with 29 points from 15 outings with (9 wins, 2 draws) and three points ahead of Mahindra United with 26 points from 14 outings. East Bengal remained in the third place with 22 points.

This is fast Bengal's third consecutive defeat in a row.

Dempo, who put up a dazzling display, shot into the lead as early as in the 2nd minute through Roberto Silva whose direct freekick hit the cross bar and entered into the net (1-0).

The home team increased their lead in the 19th minute through Renty Martin off a good pass received from Clifford Miranda to make it 2-0.

Dempo had another chance to consolidate their lead in the next two minutes but Clifford Miranda and Renty Martin failed to connect a fine cross given by Jerry Zirsanga in front of the goal and the ball went abegging.

Stung by the early debacle, East Bengal accelerated and reduced the margin in the 32nd minute through Edmilson Margues Pardal whose direct free kick found the net to make it 2-1.

A minute before half time, East Bengal restored parity through Ashim Biswas off a well measured pass from Syed Rahim Nabi to make it 2-2 at half time.

Inspired by an equaliser, East Bengal continued to attack and within 50 seconds in the second half, East Bengal increased their lead through Edmilson, who after collecting a ball from Centre dodged past couple of rival defenders and shot into the net to make it 3-2.

Later, Dempo took over and the scores equalised in the 73rd minute through Roberto Silva, who after collecting a cross pass from Anthony Pereira from the right flank banged a powerpacked shot which found the net (3-3).

After that, Dempo pumped in two quick goals through John Dias following a flag kick by Clifford Moranda in the 84th minute and through Renty Martin in the 85th minute off a pass from substitute Nascimento Silveira to make it 5-3 in favour of Dempo.

UNI