EB, dempo split points in drab tie

Kolkata, Feb 24 (UNI) East Bengal and Dempo SC settled for a barren draw in their sixth round match of the 11th National Football League here at the Vidhyasagar Stadium in Barasat today.

After the day's play, Dempo retained the top position with 11 points from six outings, while East Bengal with same points are third because of a poor goal difference.

Both sides today initiated on a positive note but failed to finish it off. The hosts grew defensive as the match progressed.

They seemed to have settled for a draw.

The Goans, however, were aggressive from the early minutes.

But they too failed to convert the several chances though with the likes of Beto and Ranti Martins, thanks to some brilliant keeping from Rajat Ghosh Dastidar.

With Edmilson Pardal and Boniface Ambani in the upfront, the hosts lost their skipper Alvito D Cunha in the 14th minute after an injury.

Coach Carlos Pereira replaced Alvito with Shylo Malsawtulunga which however, proved of little help. The mid-field lacked a planner and someone who would create moves for them.

Amid, the back-to-back the Goan forays, the red-and-golden men too earned few chances.

In the 30th minute, they were gifted with a free-kick just outside the Dempo box when Izumi Arata was brought down. A wayward shot from Ambani spoiled the cause.

Eight minutes later, the visitors had a hairline miss when Clifford Miranda, though pulled up laetr for being off-side, missed the target from hand shaking distance.

After the change of ends, East Bengal resumed with more vigour - after some pep talk from the Brazilian coach. With Asim Biswas taking the field from Arata, they suddenly started finding ways into the opponent's box.

But a tentative Ambani was found wanting. In the 74th minute Dempo almost found the mark. But a brilliant Rajat traded the danger for a corner. Dempo could not make use of any of the 15 corners that came their way.

UNI