Dempo pips Air India 2-1

Margao, Mar 9 (UNI) Dempo Sports Club prevailed over Air India (Mumbai) 2-1 in the ONGC National Football League championship match played at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, today.

Anthony Pereira (19th minute) and Renty Martins (39th minute) scored for Dempo, while Paresh Shivalkar reduced the margin for Air India in the 86th minute.

After today's win, Dempo maintained its top position with 17 points from five wins, two draws and a defeat. Air India remained on the same fourth place with eleven points from an equal number of outings.

Dempo played a spirited game today with Anthony Pereira and Renty Martin combining well. The duo tore open the Air India defence repeatedly in the first half and ensured that their team held complete sway over the proceedings.

Dempo came up with a good move as early as in the 13th minute.

The move was initiated by Samir Naik who passed to Anthony Pereira whose shot was, however, well saved by rival goalkeeper Raju Ekka.

The home team surged ahead in the 19th minute of the first half through Anthony Pereira. Valeriano Rebelo's shot deflected off one of the rival defenders and the ball went towards Pereira who was inside the goal. He pounced upon the opportunity and, deceiving the advancing goalkeeper, put the ball into the net to make it 1-0.

The home team had another chance to consolidate their lead in the 24th minute but goalkeeper Ekka smartly punched over a powerful long ranger by Samir Naik.

Dempo increased their lead in the 39th minute through Renty Martins who, after collecting the ball from the top of the box, dodged past a couple of rival defenders and shot into the net. At half time, the home team was leading 2-0.

There was not much action in the second half and Dempo were more with the ball for the major part.

Air India made three changes in the team in the second half and managed to reduce the margin in the 86th minute through Paresh Shivalkar when Napolean Singh took a short corner. The ball went to Narender Meetei whose shot Dempo goalkeer Satish Kumar failed to grab properly. The ball slipped from his hand and went towards Shivalkar who found the net to make it 2-1.

Dempo forward Anthony Pereira was adjudged the ''man of the match'' for his fine performance.

UNI