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I-League: Dempo maintains winning streak
Hat-trick hero Martins silenced his growing list of critics as Dempo Sports Club raced to an effortless 4-1 win over Sporting Clube de Goa in Margao.
Margao:
Hat-trick hero Ranty Martins silenced his growing list of critics as Dempo Sports Club raced to an effortless 4-1 win over Sporting Clube de Goa in their 11th round encounter in the I-League football tournament at the Nehru Stadium in Margao on Sunday.
Ranty, Dempo captain, has been heavily criticised for his below par showing in the I-League. In private, even his team mates, have questioned Ranty's commitment to Dempo's cause what with the Nigerian striker sealing a high-profile move to Irish club Bohemian FC in the summer.
On Sunday, however, the Nigerian striker finally came good with a hat-trick as Dempo demolished Sporting Clube and increased the gap at the top to eight points.
Edeh Chidi was also among the goals while Freddy Mascarenhas scored his first I-League goal for Sporting Clube. Dempo seemed intent adding on the I-league title to their impressive list of trophies. And with Ranty also striking form, it is becoming increasingly difficult for their rivals to catch up.
Dempo seemed in a hurry to open the account, but a determined Luis Barreto under the Sporting Clube goal, proved equal to the task.
The Sporting goalkeeper made three unbelievable saves in the first 15 minutes itself; his double save off Edeh Chidi and Ranty from close range remained the highlight of the match.
Ranty Martins, however, broke Sporting Clube's resistance with a solo move; side-stepping Felipe Gomes, cutting past another hapless defender and unleashing a vicious pile-driver that whizzed past the Sporting goalkeeper.
Edeh Chidi compounded Sporting Clube's misery in the 31st minute as he capitalised on a defensive lapse. Ranty sent a cross from the left which the Sporting defecne misread allowing Chidi a simple tap in.
Ranty Martins then added his second with a neat finish to a move involving Climax Lawrence and Nicolau Borges. At half time, Dempo were 3-0 ahead. But, Sporting came back with a goal from Freddy Mascarenhas in the 63rd minute.Mickky Fernandes' free-kick then struck the goalpost as Dempo dropped guard and Sporting stepped up pace.
However, Sporting Clube were restricted to a midfield show and never really came close to troubling Abhijit Mondal under the Dempo goal. Ranty completed his hat trick in the last minute following Nascimento Silveira's chipped pass.
Ranty, Dempo captain, has been heavily criticised for his below par showing in the I-League. In private, even his team mates, have questioned Ranty's commitment to Dempo's cause what with the Nigerian striker sealing a high-profile move to Irish club Bohemian FC in the summer.
On Sunday, however, the Nigerian striker finally came good with a hat-trick as Dempo demolished Sporting Clube and increased the gap at the top to eight points.
Edeh Chidi was also among the goals while Freddy Mascarenhas scored his first I-League goal for Sporting Clube. Dempo seemed intent adding on the I-league title to their impressive list of trophies. And with Ranty also striking form, it is becoming increasingly difficult for their rivals to catch up.
Dempo seemed in a hurry to open the account, but a determined Luis Barreto under the Sporting Clube goal, proved equal to the task.
The Sporting goalkeeper made three unbelievable saves in the first 15 minutes itself; his double save off Edeh Chidi and Ranty from close range remained the highlight of the match.
Ranty Martins, however, broke Sporting Clube's resistance with a solo move; side-stepping Felipe Gomes, cutting past another hapless defender and unleashing a vicious pile-driver that whizzed past the Sporting goalkeeper.
Edeh Chidi compounded Sporting Clube's misery in the 31st minute as he capitalised on a defensive lapse. Ranty sent a cross from the left which the Sporting defecne misread allowing Chidi a simple tap in.
Ranty Martins then added his second with a neat finish to a move involving Climax Lawrence and Nicolau Borges. At half time, Dempo were 3-0 ahead. But, Sporting came back with a goal from Freddy Mascarenhas in the 63rd minute.Mickky Fernandes' free-kick then struck the goalpost as Dempo dropped guard and Sporting stepped up pace.
However, Sporting Clube were restricted to a midfield show and never really came close to troubling Abhijit Mondal under the Dempo goal. Ranty completed his hat trick in the last minute following Nascimento Silveira's chipped pass.
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