Dempo Season review 2011-12

Another year, another league, written off at the start, robbed of eight players for one game, just two foreigners on their roster for more than half of the League, and yet the Blue Juggernaut just refused to stop, marauding to win their fifth I-League in eight years – the most by any team in the history of Indian football.

No one gave them a chance at the start of the season especially after their disappointing Federation Cup where they failed to make it past the group stages. Add to that their coach, Armando Colaco, twice had to take a long break from Dempo – once at the start of the season due to his national team commitments and the other during mid-season due to health-related issues, but the way assistant coach Mauricio Afonso handled the team was an indication that Dempo will be in safe hands even after the Armando Colaco era.

It was a season where Dempo swept all trophies they participated in, with the exception of the Federation Cup and the U-20 I-League. The 2011-12 Kingfisher Goa Professional League, the Kingfisher Super Cup, the GFA Knockout Cup and the I-League are all safely housed in the Dempo Headquarters – a testament to the sensational season they had.

Key Highlights Of The Season

2011-12 I-League Champions
2011-12 Kingfisher Goa Professional League Champions
2011-12 Kingfisher Super Cup Champions
2011-12 GFA Knockout Cup Champions
Played 14 rounds of the I-League and entire Federation Cup with just two foreigners and yet performed well
Had to do without the inspirational Armando Colaco for major parts of the season but yet played consistently
Won their first seven matches of the League in a row – a streak never achieved before
Ranti Martins was highest scorer for second successive season
Beat Mohun Bagan 5-0 in Goa, their biggest win over Kolkata opposition in recent memory

The Low-Blows

Disappointing Federation Cup where they suffered an exit in the group stages
Over reliance on the senior players

Top Performer of the Season

Ranty Martins

Dempo

Dempo

Ranty was no doubt the best performer of the League for Dempo this season and possibly one of the contenders for the Player of the year. He bettered his last yearai??i??s tally of 30 goals by scoring an amazing 32 goals this season in the League, including four in a single game against Sporting Clube de Goa. Right from the start of the season he was on the mark, scoring goals at will and also linking well with the midfield. His four goals against Sporting Clube de Goa was the highlight of the season, which included a Theirry Henry like turn and shoot goal past the Sporting keeper.

Top Performers Of The Season

Cresson Antao

The young defender finally came of age and had his best season for Dempo without a doubt. He started all the games in the I-League barring a couple due to suspension. His partnership with Mahesh Gawli was the highlight of the season. Almost every other team in the League had a foreign central defender but Dempo duo of Mahesh and Cresson proved to everyone that they could stop the best in the business. Cressonai??i??s impressive performances this season have surely out him on the threshold of an India call-up.

Mahesh Gawli

He was probably the best defender to play for India in his generation and he showed Dempo his worth this season. Handed the captainai??i??s armband at the start of the season, Mahesh led from the front starting almost all the games except for the couple of games towards the end which he missed due to injury. His fitness levels were very good this year considering that he is known to be injury prone. Dempo can look forward to many more performances like these from him in the future considering that he has retired from the national team.

Subhasish Roy Chowdhury

After losing his place in the India team at the start of the year, Subhasish came back with a bang earning an India recall midway through the season. While his colleague Laxmikant Kattimani was with the India team, Subhasish got down to business during pre-season, ironed out his weak points and fought his way to become the No.1 keeper for Dempo. Subhasish along with Debabrata Roy started the most games for Dempo this year. Subhasish had 11 clean sheets to his credit in the League and conceded only 21 goals behind Salgaocarai??i??s 19 goals.

Most Disappointing Player Of The Season

Joaquim Abranches

The young India striker started the initial games of the League but will be best remembered for missing a Torres-like sitter against Mohun Bagan. Armando Colaco soon ran out of patience with the 25-year-old and he lost his place in the starting eleven after the first six games being replaced by Koko Sakibo. Abranches then had to be content with making substitute appearances although he remains an integral part of Dempoai??i??s future plans.

Best Match Of The Season

Dempo 5-0 Mohun Bagan

Undoubtedly, the most entertaining match of the season at the Fatorda stadium. Before that game, both Mohun Bagan and Dempo were unbeaten in the League and people expected it to be a hard-fought game, but the way Dempo tore apart their rivals made everyone stand up and take notice. If not for some prodigality by Joaqum Abranches there would have been more humiliation heaped on the Mariners.

Most Disappointing Match Of The Season

Dempo 0-2 Air India

In the previous encounter, at the same venue Dempo thumped their rivals 14-0, the biggest winning margin in the League. But a year later, the Airmen exacted revenge by beating Dempo 2-0 in their own backyard. It was also Dempoai??i??s third straight loss after winning seven matches on the trot. Dempo though managed to win the return leg in Pune.

Best Goal Of The Season

Ranti Martns v Sporting Clube de Goa

Ranti scored some blinders this season against Mohun Bagan from 35 yards out and against Churchill brothers on the volley from outside the box. But his beast goal was probably the goal against Sporting Clube de Goa, where he turned a defender and hit a shot on the turn past a hapless looking Sporting keeper Ashok Singh.

Best XI Of The Season

Dempo