I-League: Mumbai FC undone by Dempo's class

New Delhi: Dempo got their first win of 2009 with a 3-0 win over Mumbai FC in a highly entertaining encounter in Goa.

Mumbai FC made just one change with Riston Rodrigues back in the starting line-up in place of Noel Wilson. And it was the Mumbai outfit that looked more likely to get the first goal as they came out of the blocks faster than Dempo.

Mumbai had a goal controversially disallowed as early as the second minute when Felix headed in a Riston Rodrigues cross but the referee ruled it out because of a foul by Felix on Dempo defender Mahesh Gawli.

The replay also couldn’t give the clear picture and understandably few of the Mumbai FC players protested with skipper Abhishek Yadav getting booked in the process.

Dempo had a new look attack with Beto partnering Rani upfront with Nascimento Silva playing alongside Climax Lawrence in center of midfield and so took their time to settle in the game.

The defending champions soon got into their groove and scored with their real first chance of the game in the 14th minute when Beto picked up a pass with his back to goal and then turned and played a neat pass onto the feet of Ranti Martins who got past his marker and found the back the of net with a good left footed finish.

Four minutes later Climax Lawrence played a brilliant through ball towards Ranti Martins who came inside into his left foot but his shot was straight at Kalyan Chaubey.

Mumbai FC also had a few attacks of their own but their final ball lacked the quality but nonetheless it was end to end stuff which was well appreciated by the small crowd that had turned up.

The away side did have a good opportunity when Dempo keeper Abhijit Mondal failed to catch the ball from a Kamaljeet corner and was caught far away from goal but Kulothungan failed to capitalize as his shot hit Mondal’s body and the rebound was cleared away from danger.

Dempo always looked like scoring when they attacked and so it didn’t take them much time to find the second goal. Beto did well to setup Anthony on the right flank and the latter’s cross was brilliantly headed home by Clifford Miranda.

At that point of time it was looking like Dempo would score more before halftime but Mumbai FC always threatened to score as their crosses from wide areas caused quite a few problems for the Dempo back four.

Mumbai’s best chance fell to the feet of young Kattimani who found himself clean through on goal with only the keeper to beat after an excellent pass by Felix but the midfielder couldn’t hit the target.

The second half began very much like the first with both teams trying to attack. Dempo were still passing the ball nicely but it was Mumbai FC who created the first big chance of the half when Hammond crossed to the far post but a header from Abhishek Yadav could only find the crossbar.

It was looking like it was not going to be Mumbai FC’s day while Dempo kept creating chances.

Beto made a good run on the left flank and then his shot from the edge of the box was deflected off Selwyn and hit the head of Ranti Martins on its way to goal.

The goal was disallowed as Ranti was offside when the shot was deflected.

Dempo then came up with the move of the game as Climax, Ranti and Beto exchanged passes before releasing Naik who found Ranti but the Nigerian failed to hit the target after getting away from his marker.

Miranda could have got his second of the game but his header from another Anthony cross hit the post.

Dempo finally got the third when substitute Jerry Zirsanga sent in a low cross for fellow substitute Clifton Gonsalves, who coolly found the back of the net from close range.

Mumbai finished strongly but couldn’t get the goal they deserved as Abhijit Mondal denied first Yadav and then Felix with two brilliant saves.

This result sees Dempo move one point within Mumbai FC with both teams occupying the same places as they did before the start of the game.

Goalscorers: Ranti Martins 14', Clifford Miranda 28', Clifton Gonsalves 83'

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