I-League: Pune FC hold Dempo to a 1 – 1 draw

Goa: Dempo Sports Club could not take much of their chances in their 1-1 draw against Pune FC in the 11th round clash of the Airtel I-League at the Duler Stadium, Goa, on Wednesday.

After a barren first session, Brazilian midfielder Roberto Mendes da Silva put Dempo ahead in the 47th minute, only for Pune FC to strike back through the boots of Mustapha Rahamat in the 51st minute.

Dempo are now placed eighth with 11 points from 10 matches while Pune FC are third with 18 points, the same as the two teams above them, Bengaluru FC and Salgaocar FC.

Dempo could have taken all three points on offer in today’s game but lacked the cutting edge upfront. Papas surprised many by fielding a young side that had just one foreign player as Simon Collosimo and Shinosuke Honda were both injured, while Irish striker Billy Mehmet is reportedly on his way out.

Beto, the lone foreign player in the Dempo squad, was the most influential player of the day. He got into action in the first minute itself when Joy Ferrao’s shot came off the goalkeeper and fell for the Brazilian but before Beto could get to the ball, an alert defender was on hand to avert the danger.

Beto then went close again in the 19th minute, this time heading wide a corner kick taken by Clifford Miranda.

Pune FC were on the back foot but whenever they counter-attacked there was an element of danger. Mustapha, although lacking in support, was the danger man and he almost opened the account with a snap drive that was blocked by Selwyn Fernandes.

In the second session, Dempo hit the ground running and tasted success in the 47th minute. Beto pounced on a loose ball after Holicharan Narzary’s had picked him up.

Pune’s reaction was instant. It was Mustapha who did the damage, combining well with Douhou Pierre to bury a neat ball past the outstretched hands of Dempo goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattymani.

Despite the setback, Dempo seemed confident that they would troop out victors. But it transpired otherwise. There were a plethora of chances but nothing got converted.