Dempo pip HAL 2-1, maintain top slot in NFL

Margao, Apr 26 (UNI) Medio Roberto Silva's 71st minute goal guided Durand Cup champions Dempo Sports Club to a 2-1 win over bottom-placed Hindustran Aeronautics Limited (HAL) in the ONGC National Football League tie at the Nehru Stadium Fatorda here today.

Ranty Martin (ninth minute) and Roberto Silva (71st) scored for Dempo while Kutti Mani (43rd minute) scored the lone goal for HAL.

With this win, Dempo strengthened their chances for the NFL title by maintaining their position on top of the table with 32 points from 16 outings with ten wins, two draws and four losses.

They are six points ahead of second-placed Mahindra United of Mumbai who have 26 points with two matches less. HAL remained on the same ten points from as many matches.

Dempo dominated the midfield for major part of the first half and shot into the lead as early as in the ninth minute through Martin who converted a penalty kick when referee Dinesh Nair awarded the spot kick after HAL defender Raghu Singh brought down Anthony Pereira in the danger zone.

HAL restored parity two minutes before the breather through Kuttimani whose header found the net following a flag kick by Rajendra Prasad. At half time, both the teams were locked 1-1.

After the cross over, both the teams made some desperate attemtps for the match winner. Dempo came up with a good move in the 63rd minute and almost came to scoring but Roberto Silva's curling power-packed free kick hit the cross bar and went wide.

HAL, too, had a chance in the 68th minute but Murali's full-blooded shot rebouded off the goal post and went back into play.

Dempo scored the match-winner in the 71st minute through Roberto Silva whose perfect header found the net off a cross pass from Clifford Miranda to make it 2-1.

Dempo medio Clifford Miranda was adjudged the man-of-the -match for his fine performance.

UNI