Air India hold Dempo to 2-2 draw in thrilling encounter

Mumbai, May 6 (UNI) An 87th minute strike by Santosh Koli helped Air India snatch a thrilling 2-2 draw against table toppers Dempo Sports Club in a National Football League tie at the Cooperage here today.

With this draw, Dempo edged closer to regaining the title they had won in 2005, now having 33 points from 17 games with one game still at hand.

JCT, currently in second position on the table, have 28 points from 17 matches and can have no hopes of catching up with Dempo.

Air India's city rivals Mahindra United, however, have an outside chance to retain the title. They have 27 points with two games in hand and can equal Dempo's tally of 33 points provided they win both their games and Dempo lose their final game. The champions will then be decided on goal difference.

It was Air India who had the first shot at the goal as early as in the second minute following a long throw and the rebound fell to Nepoleon Singh, but his shot from top of the circle was off target.

Dempo then slowly increased the tempo and started raiding the rival citadel time and again. They were rewarded in the 13th minute when a long throw by Valeriano Rebelo was headed into goal by Anthony Pereira to put the Goan side 1-0 up.

In the 21st minute, Dempo had a great chance of increasing their lead but a scorching long ranger from Valeriano Rebelo went just wide off the mark.

A defensive lapse by Majeck Bolaji of Dempo gave Air India the much needed equaliser in the 33rd minute when Bashiru Abbas latched on to the miskick by the defender to put the ball into the net to make the scoreline 1-1.

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