Dempo derail Chirag United

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Dempo SC extended their winning streak in the I League, defeating Chirag United Kerala 2-1 in the match played at the University Stadium here on Thursday.

In a game dominated by the visitors during the first half and the hosts in the second half, Dempo’s Nigerian striker Martin Ranti scored a double and paved way for their fifth consecutive win in the league.

For Chirag United Kerala C. K. Vineeth scored the lone goal from an awful mistake by Dempo’s custodian Subhasish Roy Chowdhury in the 66th minute. Dempo’s goalie failed to clear a lob from Chirag’s Michael Matricci-ani and Vineeth capitalised on the error for the home side.

After the goal, Chirag players thronged the Dempo goal post in search of an equaliser. However, the sluggish striking from Chirag became fatal for the team.

In the 13 minute of the game, Ranty Martin netted the first goal heading a loose cross of Goan winger Clifford Miranda. Ranty Martin capitalised on a defensive error caused by Chirag’s left back, Gurjinder Singh. Coach Nizam Packeer Ali made an early substitution replacing Gurjinder with Jagdeep Singh.

Within a minute, Chirag were forced to make another substitution in the form of Sharath when goal keeper Arindam Gosh was seriously injured in a crash with Dempo striker, Koko Sakibo.

In the first half, apart from two or three chances, Chirag players failed to show an impressive game. Dempo right winger Anthony Pereira and midfielder Peter Carvalho constantly put Chirag’s defense under pressure.

In the 30th minute, Chir-ag’s Noushad, left winger Shabas Saleel and Vineeth orchestrated a fine move but ended in a weak shot which failed to defeat Dempo’s custodian.

The second goal for Dempo came in the six-minute of injury time. Peter Carvalho’s shot was deflected by Ranti Martin befuddling Sharath.

In the second half, Chirag attacked as Ajayan and Saleel teamed up. After scoring the first goal in the 66th minute, Vineeth led the attack while Michael supported him from behind with his short passes. Sharath rose to the situation and saved brilliantly restricting the visitors score again. How-ever, the lack of a good striker diminished the chances of an equaliser.

“The team is improving after each game. Except for some defensive lapses and missed passes in the first half we played superbly. We had no replacement for the striking position and Vineeth was playing with an injury, which decreased our scoring chances,” said coach Nizam Packeer Ali.