Dempo route Mohammedan Sporting 5-0 in NFL

Duler, Goa, Jan 12 (UNI) Ranty Martins and Anthony Pereira scored a brace each as Durand Cup Champions Dempo registered an empahtic 5-0 win over Kolkata's Mohammedan Sporting in the 11th National Football League (NFL) match at Mapusa in North Goa.

With this win, Dempo opened their account in the tournament after losing 1-2 to defending champions Mahindra United in their opening match in Mumbai on January 8.

Pereira strucked in the first and 42nd minutes while Ranty found the net in the 12th and 66th minutes. Substitute Peter Carvalho made it 5-0 in the 80th minute.

Mohammedan Sporting, who shocked JCT in the lung opener, failed to combine as a team. Nothing went right for them from the kick off and let their opponents' forwardline function freely.

Dempo were outstanding today, exhibiting brilliant ball control and clinical finishing. They toyed with their rival defence right from the word go and drew first blood as early as in the first minute through Pereira who after collecting a pass from the centre by Jerry Zirsanga blasted into the net capitalising on a defensive lapse.

After some persistant raids, Dempo tasted success in the 12th minute through Ranty Martin. After receiving a well measured cross from Clifford Miranda, Pereira unleashed a powerful shot but rival defender A S Feroz had a goaline save and ball went towards Ranty Martin who was lurking inside the danger area. Ranty pounced upon the opportunity and tapped it into the net to make it 2-0.

Inspired by two quick goals, Dempo continued to attack and further increased their lead three minutes before the breather through Pereira, who headed in a cross sent from the right flank by Valerian Rebello and at half time Dempo were leading by a comfortable margin of 3-0.

Not a single good move came from Mohammedan in the first half and Dempo's goalkeeper Satish Kumar remained a mute spectator.

Dempo's upper hand continued in the second half too and they pumped in two more goals. Ranty Martin made it 4-0 in the 66th minute off a pass from Valerian Rebello and then put the last nail into the rivals' coffin in the 80th minute through substitute Peter Carvalho, whose header found the net following a flag kick taken by Clifford Miranda.

UNI