For Round-9 Previews and Predictions Click HERE
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EAST BENGAL
Kolkata, 14/01/2011 – 1:45 PM IST
Chirag United 0-0 East Bengal [Full Time]
Team News:
Chirag United: Abhijit, Subhashish, Arnab, Chika, Narugopal, Denson, Gouranga, Tulunga, Branco, Joshimar
East Bengal: Sandip, Naoba, Okpara, Gurwinder, Soumik, Mehtab, Sanju, Sushanth, Penn, Biswarup, Robin
0′: All set for the second Kolkata Derby of this I-League season. Surprise in the Chirag United line-up. Mama, Tulunga, has been given the nod ahead of Jerry. Can the ex-Red-&-Gold make a difference in this match? East Bengal fielded the exdpected line-up, Tolgay will miss the match due to double booking and Biswarup replaces him in the starting XI.
1′: And we are all set for the kick off. Here it goes – the referee blows his whistle and the game is on.
2′: Good attack by Chirag down the left wing. But Tulunga can’t get past Naoba. Ball cleared.
5′: No goals yet. Chirag threatening to score an early goal. Nice one two between Lalkamal and Branco but Okpara averts the danger.
7′: First attack by East Bengal. Pehtab to Penn, Penn feeds Biswarup with a delicate touch. But Chica is alert and clears the ball before Biswa can take a shot at goal.
8′: East Bengal gets their first shot on target. Mehtab with a brilliant free-kick finds Penn inside Chirag box, but the Nigerian hits his shot straight at the hands of Abhijit.
10′: Another chance for the Red-&-Golds goes begging. This time Biswarup is the culprit who fails to get a head on Sanju’s measured cross from an unmarked position.
12′: East Bengal continues to attack and gets a corner. Mehtab stepped up and takes the flag kick, but Chika clears away.
14′: Poor attempt by Biswarup. Naoba combines well with Sanju on the right flank to create a great opportunity for Biswarup. But all he manages to do is to hit the ball straight at Abhijit.
16′: Chirag makes a surge in East Bengal half. Lalkamal provides a dangerous through ball for Joshimar. But the Brazilian’s first touch is poor and Soumik clears the ball.
16′: East Bengal gets a corner from the counter. But Okpara’s header from a Mehtab corner is easily saved by Abhijit.
18′: Mehtab combines well with Penn to set the ball towards Robin Singh. But Arnab Mondal makes a timely interception.
20′: East Bengal slowly but steadily going in to an attacking groove. Mehtab has been fabulous so far.
21′: Narugopal makes an overlapping run from the left back position. But hits his cross a bit too far and Sandip has no problems in collecting that. Naoba to Mehtab, East Bengal again going up to create another attacking move.
23′: Mehtab was dispossessed by Lalkamal and he plays a back pass to Arnab.
24′: Nasty challenge that was and the referee gets Branco booked for a clumsy tackle on Soumik. Joshimar went ahead arguing with the referee and the Brazilian also gets booked.
27′: Still it’s goalless at YBK. Both the teams trying to thump their authority in the midfield battle. East Bengal enjoys a slightly better ball possession at the moment.
30′: Half-an-hour passed by and we are yet to see a goal here. Both the teams are playing attacking football, with East Bengal being the more aggressive of the two teams.
33′: East Bengal has failed to break Chirag’s defense this season, barring one occasion in the KFL. Can they get one past Chirag today to register their first win of the season against their city rivals? Tolgay’s absence is being felt here as East Bengal could not convert few great chances early in to the match.
35′: PENALTY FOR CHIRAG. But Joshimar hits it wide. Still 0-0.
39′: East Bengal once again created an attack doen the right wing. Excellent understanding between Naoba and Sanju. But somehow Narugopal manages to clear.
41′: Poor finishing letting East Bengal down at the moment. This time it was Robin Singh who fails to keep his header on target from a close range. The balls flies out over and wide.
45′: 2 minutes of added time in the first half. Yellow card to Sanju for deliberately stamping Lalkamal.
HT: It has been a goal-less first half here at YBK. East Bengal dominated the attack and created few good chances but their strikers poor finishing continues. Chirag got the best opportunity of the first half, but Joshimar failed to convert a spot kick. So here it stands – Chirag 0-0 East Bengal @ HT.
47′: Second half gets going here at YBK. East Bengal makes one substitution – Biswarup OUT; Harmanjot Khabra IN.
50′: East Bengal looking for an early goal to secure the victory. Mehtab to Penn, Penn tried to feed Khabra. Long ball, Abhijit gathers.
53′: Once again Mehtab combines well with Penn, who plays a little one-two with Sushanth before sending a cross towards Robin. But again miscued.
54′: Change for Chirag. Mama OUT; Jerry IN.
56′: Chirag makes an attacking move but Mehtab tackles Lalkamal to snatch the ball and launch a counter attack.
60′: It has been an hour since the match has started but yet no team could break the dead-lock so far. A corner wasted by East Bengal.
62′: Chirag has gone in to a little defensive mould. Perhaps Sanjay Sen is happy to share the spoils here.
65′: Only 25 minutes remaining for the final whistle. East Bengal is showing some urgency here as they enjoy a continuous spell of ball possession.
68′: Magical spell of football by the Red-&-Golds. They played not less than 15 passes among themselves trying to build an attack. But ultimately loses the possession cheaply as Khabra fails to anticipate a pass from Sushanth.
71′: Another attack by East Bengal. This time created by Naoba from an overlapping run. But again the same finishing problem. Khabra’s shot goes wide. The scoreline remains goal-less.
75′: 15 minutes to go for the final whistleh. No goals here at YBK.
79′: Morgan should look for a substitution here. How about getting Budhiram Tudu IN? Meanwhile Chirag makes a rare venture, but Okpara clears easily.
81′: Chirag United continues to frustrate East Bengal. Only 10 minutes or so remaining. Substitution for Chirag, Branco OUT; Rafiq IN.
84′: Suddenly Chirag has upped their tempo and looking to hit East Bengal with quick counter attacks. What would be Morgan’s reply? East Bengal needs one or two fresh legs in the midfield. Jerry is particularly very quick. Naoba with a good cross, but Robin was nowhere close to the final delivery. Another chance went begging.
87′: Another change for East Bengal. Budhiram Tudu introduced in place of Sanju.
90′: Stipulated 90 minutes over. Only four minutes injury time remaining.
91′: Close!!! Could have been dangerous for East Bengal. Joshimar’s shot went very close to the far post.
93′: Time wasting tactics by Chirag. Sanjay Sen makes his third substitution to kill a few seconds.
FT: Chirag United 0-0 East Bengal :: So once again East Bengal could not get a winning result against Chirag. Chirag TD Subrata Bhattacharya will be proud of his boys performance. Although East Bengal enjoyed dominating spells in both the halfs and came close to scoring on a few occasions, it was Chirag who came closest. Only if Joshimar could have converted the first half penalty, it would have been three full points for Sanjay Sen’s side. Morgan needs to address his strikers’ finishing problem before their next match.
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VIVA KERALA
Kohlapur, 14/01/2011 – 3:30 PM IST
ONGC FC 1-0 Viva Kerala [Full Time]
1′: The bottom of the table clash at Kohlapur gets underway.
15′: No goals so far in this match. ONGC had two chances, but N.D. Opara wasted one and Shahinlal made a brilliant save on the second occasion.
25′: No goals yet in the match.
35′: Viva got a good chance, but failed to convert. It’s goalless at the moment.
HT’: So another goal-less half time at Kohlapur. Both the teams got a few decent chances, but failed to break the dead-lock.
55′: Great save by ONGC keeper Rajat Ghosh Dastidar to deny C.S. Sabeeth. The score-card still reads – ONGC 0-0 Viva Kerala.
82′ : Still goal-less in Kolhapur…looks like the match is going towards a draw.
88′ : GOOOAAALLL !!! ONGC finally break the deadlock. There is so little time for Viva to get back now. It’s ND Opara, ONGC’s most in-form goalscorer who found the net.
FT : ONGC 1-0 Viva Kerala :: ONGC grab their first ever I-League win with that late strike. Viva has been guilty of conceding late goals and today was not an exception. This win gives a huge boost to ONGC while Viva move closer to relegation zone.
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HAL SC
Margaon, 14/01/2011 – 3:45 PM IST
Churchill Brothers 3-0 HAL SC [Full Time]
Team News:
Churchill: Thapa, Denzil, Ravanan, Robert, Israil, Lenny, Zakeer, Durga, Dinesh, Bineesh, Vincent
HAL: Pramod, Shankar, Srikanth, Kenneth, Murali, Prakash, Amaba, Namenkapam, Rohit, Adeola, Vijay
1′: The match gets underway at the Fatorda. Big surprise here, no Odafa in the line-up for Churchill. Vincent Subramaniam wants to give his star striker enough time to recover.
5′: The game is restricted to midfield in the early minutes.
10′: Without Odafa in their ranks, Churchill attack does not look that threating. HAL SC playing well at the moment.
15′: Churchill forward line is creating a few half-chances, but HAL is defending well.
25′: Great save !!! HAL custodian Promod comes up with a top notch save to deny Churchill an early lead. HAL has been defending with purpose here.
30′: Last 10 minutes or so has been an all Churchill show. However, no signs of any goals as once again Joseph brilliantly blocks a dangerous Churchill attack.
35′: It’s still goal-less. The HAL defense has been a resolute force so far. Splendid performance by Rohit Chand, the Nepal international center back.
37′: Can you believe it? After beating the last men standing in HAL defense Durga Bodo hits the post! Unfortunate for Churchill. On the other hand, HAL would thank their fortune.
42′: Durga Bodo misses a sitter. A faulty clearance fell for him with the goalkeeper off his line in an advanced position. Durga tried a cute chip, but the ball goes over.
HT: Its half time at Margaon. Churchill dominated the possession and attacked in numbers, but HAL defended with fighting spirit and denied Churchill any chance of converting their majority ball possession in to a goal.
47′ : GOOOAAALLL !!! Bineesh Balan puts Churchill Brothers ahead.
55′ : Vincent !!! He missed a clear header there.
56′ : Prakash !!! The veteran tries to spark a comeback for HAL..saved by Thapa.
58′ : HAL on the offensive now..Amaba missed a one on one with Thapa..it should have been 1-1 by now.
60′ : Prakash !!! He missed a sitter there.
60′ : GOOOAAALLL !!! Zakir makes it 2-0 for Churchill Brothers…just when it looked like HAL would nick a goal, the Goans extend their lead.
62′ : Poor cross from Durga Boro. Churchill 2-0 HAL.
70′ : Still 2-0 to Churchill. They are now playing percentage football – keeping possession and running down the clock.
77′ : Churchill Brother 2-0 HAL. Looks like Bangalore team has accepted a loss already. They are no longer trying to get a goal.
83′ : The Goans are trying to increase their lead through swift counter attacks.
84′ : GOOOAAALLL !!! Vincent rounds the ‘keeper to make it 3-0 to Churchill Brothers.
FT : Churchill Brothers 3-0 HAL :: Just when you thought Churchill = Odafa, they go about and score 6 goals in 2 matches, without him. Looks like they have unearthed a gem of a player in Kayne Vincent. A thumping win for Churchill Brothers who close the gap on East Bengal. HAL’s initial good form has gone up in smokes..they are heading back to relegation zone again. MP Zakeer is TheHardTackle’s Man of the Match.
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MUMBAI FC
Gurgaon, 15/01/2011 – 2:30 PM IST
AIFF XI 1-1 MUMBAI FC [Full Time]
1′: A resurgent Mumbai FC takes on AIFF XI in this crucial 9th round match at Dau Devi Laal Stadium, Gurgaon. AIFF boys will be confident of doing well against the Mumbai team after snatching a point off Dempo’s kitty in round-8.
5′: No goals yet in the match. Ebi Sukore’s powerful volley is brilliantly saved by AIFF ‘keeper Jagrup Singh.
8′: The AIFF midfield of Jewel Raja and Shilton D’Silva are running the show at this moment. Jeje missed an easy chance to put the home team ahead in the 8th minute.
12′: GOOOAAALLL !!! AIFF XI takes a deserving lead. Malswamfela scored the goal and the few hundred supporters present at the venue erupts in joy.
20′: The score-line reads AIFF XI 1-0 Mumbai FC. A bit more urgency in the match as Mumbai FC intensified their attack in search of the equalizer.
30′: We are in to the half hour mark. AIFF still leading by a goal.
40′: 5 minutes to go for the lemon break and AIFF XI is looking to double their lead. Fela and Shilton both are playing superbly today.
HT: It’s Half Time at Gurgaon. AIFF XI is leading by an early goal scored by Malswamfela in the 10th minute of the match.
55′: Jeje missed a golden opportunity from Jewel Raja’s free-kick. His looping header went over the cross piece.
68′: So close to the equaliser!! Mumbai FC striker Ebi Sukore smacks a shot off the post..
74′: AIFF nearly double their lead. Shilton’s shot saved by Ishan in the MFC goal!
85′: Dying moments of the game now. What do MFC have left in their tank?
94′: GOOOAALLLLL!! Mumbai FC have equalised with the last kick of the game and a wonderful goal as well! A long-range, last-ditch effort by Nigerian striker Ebi Sukore just a few seconds before the final whistle! What a heartbreak for the young brigade of AIFF.
FT: AIFF XI 1-1 Mumbai FC: AIFF move up to 9th place after this draw, while Mumbai FC are 6th in the league table, now. What an exciting end to the game!
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AIR INDIA
Ludhiana, 15/12/2011 – 2:00 PM IST
JCT FC 2-0 AIR INDIA [Full Time]
1′: After registering their second win in round-8, JCT FC will look to consolidate their position in the league standings with a win against the bottom placed Air India. Air India is the only team in this edition yet to register a win.
5′: Visiting teams are finding it difficult to acclimatized with the cold weather condition at Ludhiana. And Air India is no exception. No goals yet. JCT is looking for an early goal here.
15′: No goals yet. JCT FC is playing an attacking brand of football, Keke Ibrahim in particular, has been fabulous so far.
25′: Air India is doing well defensively at the moment and trying to break JCT defense on the counter. The score-line remains goal-less.
35′: It’s still goalless at Ludhiana. Maninder was presented with a great through ball by Nuruddin, but his shot went wide of the far post from around 12 yards out.
HT: It’s been a goal-less first half at Ludhiana. JCT dominated the possession, but Air India defended with 10 men behind the ball.
55′: The match resumes after the lemon break. No goals yet in the match. Air India team has parked the bus in front of their goal and JCT strike force is unable to pierce it.
65′: JCT FC’s dominance in terms of ball possession and attack is not reflecting on the score-line. Sukhi needs to wear his thinking cap and try something else here. Air India must be credited by the way they are going on with the task at hand. They landed at Ludhiana with the hope to get one point from this match and they are perfectly on course.
66′: GOAAALLL!! JCT takes the lead through Omalaja!
67′: GOOOAALLLL!! Game, set and match? Goals in quick succession for JCT as Ibrahim doubles their lead.
75′: The home side is cruising now..
85′: JCT looks to have wrapped up the points…
90′: AI goalkeeper Arup Debnath makes a superb double save to deny Maninder and then Ibrahim. Thus keeping the scoreline respectable..
FT: JCT 2-0 Air India: With this win, JCT moves up to 7th behind Mumbai FC, while Air India remain rock-bottom of the league and in need of a miracle. The Man of the Match award is handed to Omoloja Kareem (JCT).
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MOHUN BAGAN
Margaon, 15/01/2011 – 3:45 PM IST
SALGAOCAR SC 1-3 MOHUN BAGAN [Full Time]
Hello and welcome to the LIVE coverage of what is going to be a cracking match this afternoon! I am THT correspondent Jonathan Desousa reporting directly from the stadium. Here are the line-ups:
Salgaocar: Karanjit, Jaspal, Farid, Tomba, Yakubu, Sueoka, Barbosa, Rino, Sabrosa, Lamare, Gilbert
Mohun Bagan: Debnath, Chidi, Barreto, Ishfaq, Souvik, Satish, Diamondstar, Mohan Raj, Shilton, Manish, Dhanarajan
0′: The players are all set and about to begin amidst crackers in the background and an electric atmosphere. Let the fun begin..
3′: Early chance for Salgaocar wasted by Francis! Delightful ball from the left after Gilbert was put through but Barbosa heads wide of goal..
4′: Right from the onset Luciano is keeping a close eye on Chidi and marking him tightly..
9′: Gilbert is ripping apart the Bagan defence. Scorching pace. Sets up Yakubu!! Only a corner…
12′: GOOOOAAALL!! What a goal for Bagan! On the counter, Ishfaq gets the ball from the right and takes a long ranger that sails past the goalkeeper!
15′ GOAAALLLL!! Calamity for Salgaocar as a defensive mistake gifts Chidi a goal. 2-0 to the away side! The crowd is silenced!
17′: Barbosa shoots wide after being set-up by Tomba. Salgoacar still have time to claw themselves back into the game. Its only 2-0.
19′: GOOOAALL!! I spoke too soon! Mohun Bagan are rampant. Chidi gets his second goal and looks to have wrapped up the game in the first twenty minutes. Unbelievable..
25′: What mayhem in Goa! Salgaocar look dead and buried. Mohun Bagan are now trying to keep possession, slow the game down, soak up the pressure and hit the Goa club on the counter. Perfect strategy, eh?
30′: Yakubu losing possession easily. The home players look heavily demoralized. This does not look the same team that put four past Churchill Brothers!
33′: Wasted free-kick in a dangerous position by Salgaocar. They need to convert every little chance now.
36′: Little under ten minutes plus stoppage time to go. The home side cant wait to go back into the dressing rooms! After a bright opening, Gilbert has gone quiet and the team spirits are in tatters..
43′: Crowd getting impatient now. Salgoacar are struggling to keep the ball. Expect a round of boos and whistles at half-time..
44′: Gilbert has been taken out of the game on the stroke of half-time. A strong move by the manager as he doesn’t seem to be injured! Francis enters the fray..
45′: Bagan nearly got their fourth. The stadium would have emptied then. Great run by Ishfaq and he crosses too close to the goalkeeper who punches it out. The punch lands straight to Satish who puts it over the bar! Golden chance wasted.
HT: Salgaocar SC 0-3 Mohun Bagan: Disaster for the home side so far. They need a miracle. Miracles do happen but will it today? Lets hope for an exciting game..
46′: Here we go again..
47′: Salgaocar straight away on the offensive. Plenty of reason for them to be, no? Mohan Raj stands like a rock, though.
50′: Salgaocar having a major share of the possession but cannot find the killer pass!
51′: Crunch time now! Salgaocar need a goal in the next ten minutes..
52′: Nice run by Francis. He passes to Seoka, who sets it up for Yakubu! But he puts it over the bar..
53′: Another great run by Tomba, but his attempt to set-up Seoka doesn’t reach its destination.
55′: Salgaocar look extremely threatening now! Maybe they heard me? A powerful shot by Seoka is saved by Shilton. Unless they score, it will count for nothing though.
57′: Great block by Mohan from a Tomba effort! Bagan are struggling to get out of their own half at the moment. Its all Salgaocar..
60′: The crowd are right behind Salgaocar now! Double save by Shilton!! First from Yakubu and then Seoka.
65′: Too late now? Some of the Salgaocar supporters have had enough now. They are leaving the stadium. The home side just can’t find the net.
67′: Muritala replaces Barreto for the last quarter of the game. A Seoka corner almost goes inside..
70′: 20 mins to go. It was enough for Bagan to score three..
71′: What a run by Seoka but tries to do much! Corner for Salgaocar!
72′: Bagan substitution: Satish is off. Gouranga on.
80′: Salgaocar substitution. Barbosa goes off and Marcus enters the fray. The players are going through the motions now. The game was wrapped up in the first twenty minutes.
85′: Time wasting by Mohun Bagan rubs salts into the wound of the Salgaocar faithfuls! The crowd react angrily and I suppose the Bagan players enjoy it even more.
88′: Ishfaq leaves the field and Snehashish replaces him. A job well done by Ishfaq. Into stoppage time we go..
89′: PENALTY! For Salgaocar. Chance to lend a respectable look to the scoreline..2
90′: GOAL! Penalty converted by Seoka. SIX minutes of stoppage time to go…
92′: Chidi misses a sitter to grab his hat-trick!
FT: Salgaocar 1-3 Mohun Bagan: The Goa club were outplayed in this match. Though they had the better of the second half, Bagan did not need to push on and were happy to defend the 3-goal lead they earned in the first quarter of the match. A wonderful game, nonetheless. Chidi (Bagan) is the Man of The Match. Mohun Bagan showing they are still a force to reckon with. This is THT correspondent Jonathan Desousa signing off from a dejected Margaon.
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PUNE FC
Margaon, 16/01/2011 – 3:45 PM IST
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The defending champions are in action as they face the threat of the Red Lizards. Can Pune upset the odds or will champions Dempo maintain their title charge? This is TheHardTackle’s correspondent Jonathan Desousa reporting LIVE from Margaon.
Pune are in 8th, coming off a poor performance in their defeat to East Bengal. Dempo are placed joint-third but somehow drew their last match in Gurgaon against AIFF XI after missing a number of chances.
Dempo SC: Roy, John, Marcus, Peter, Ranti, Beto, Kalu, Nicolau, Dominic, Clifton, Kattimani
Pune FC: Selwyn, Venkatesh, Ajayan, Edmar, Keita, Balaji, Gurjinder, Sunil, Paresh, Tamba, Lester
0′: The match kicks off with Pune in white and Dempo in their traditional blue jersey..
4′: First chance for Dempo! A nice floating ball from Ranti Martins towards Peter who is free in the box, but the Pune keeper comes and collides with the Dempo man. Peter is injured and receives treatment…
6′: Peter still receiving treatment on the blow he received a couple of minutes ago. Lull in proceedings.
8′: Play resumes as Peter continues. No stopping him from playing! Paresh is playing on the right for Pune and Jester on the left.
13′: GOOOAALLLL!! Pune FC! Completely against the run of play, Keita gives the away side a shock lead!
15′: Dempo on the attack now, looking for a quick reply. Ranti lobs it to Kalu who drives it!! The shot goes just over the bar..
16′: Dempo frustrating its supporters. Plenty of misplaced passes. They need to be a little steady in play and not rush things. Plenty of time to turn this around..
20′: Dempo are playing too slowly. They need to pick up the pace..
23′: Dempo have another escape! Keita drives through the defence, rounds off the goalkeeper but Marcus comes back to make a last ditch save!
29′: Pune FC are playing on the counter, and pretty succesfully! Great chance for for Keita again! The shot goes just wide..
32′: Dempo with plenty of possession but can’t deliver the killer pass..
33′: Nicolau is having a shocker of a game for the champions..
36′: And just as I said that, Nicolau is substituted and replaced by Joe. That is how bad he was today. Little over half an hour and he is subbed!
37′: 8 mins to go and Dempo are now building up attacks, patiently..
40′: Peter is playing on the left and Joe comes on to hug the right touchline. 5 mins to go and expect plenty of added time!
44′: Great save!! Beto’s free-kick was going in for Dempo till a divine intervention by the Pune keeper. Phew! Wonderful football!
45′: Into two minutes of stoppage time. Surprising, considering the delay due to Peter’s injury..
HT: Dempo SC 0-1 Pune FC – Another below-par performance by Dempo in front of their home crowd. Tune in to THT’s live coverage in ten minutes for the 2nd half.
Players emerging from the dressing room. Dempo will make a substitution at the break. New signing Semienia on for Kalu.
46′: The 2nd half kicks off. Let’s see what the champions are made of…
48′: Nice cross from the left by Peter but cleared by Selwyn. Throw-in for Dempo. The home side will be piling on the pressure…
50′: Great ball by Semienia just out of reach of Ranti Martins or Dempo could easily have been level! Dempo putting up a good show and its about time from the defending champions..
52′: Ranti Martins misses an opportunity! Beto rolled the ball for him to shoot but he took too long and the Pune defence cleared it for a corner. Corner did not result into anything..
54′: There has definitely been some ‘hairdryer treatment’ at half-time by Armando. However, Ranti Martins needs to wake up a bit.
55′: Great save!! Another one by the inspired Pune GK Balaji. Great cross by Joe and Balaji stretches to palm it away before it lands on the head of a Dempo player..
56′: Pune substitutions: Venkatesh makes way for Costa.
57′: Another great move! The ball comes to Beto who unleashes a pile-driver that is parried by Balaji. The ball falls to Clifton who puts it wide..
60′: Long range shot by 2nd-half substitute Semienia. Goes well wide!
62′: Nice move by Dempo but nothing comes of it. Beto and Joe combine beautifully and play it to Peter but the Pune defence clears successfully.
63′: Great 1-2 by Semienia and Beto. Beto skips past two defenders but shoots over the bar. The new signing has got into the thick of the action pretty well…
65′: Nice cross by Ranti after receiving a wonderful long ball by Semienia. His cross, though, is cut out by Paresh…
67′: Pune go on the counter-attack! Paresh crosses to Lester but his volley goes wide. The visitors close to doubling their lead there.
70′: Time running out for Dempo. Only twenty minutes left for the champions..
72′: Dempo are becoming clumsy in their passing. Peter is the latest to make a mess of simple passes..
73′: Keita shoots but brilliantly saved by Kattimani!! What an exciting moment of football there..The Dempo keeper keeps his team’s hopes alive!
75′: Pune FC players indulging in gamesmanship! They are faking injuries and getting on the nerves of the Dempo players and supporters!
78′: Pune substitution: Arata in for the scorer – Keita.
80′: Off the line!! From a Dempo corner, Semienia flicks it towards goal but Costa clears off the line! In the mean time, Pune make another substitution – Asim comes on for Paresh.
82′: GOOAAALLL!! Dempo level proceedings through a Ranti Martins header! Wonderful cross by Beto. Its about time…
84′: PENALTY! Unbelievable. Sensational. Ranti Martins is brought down by the Pune keeper and the referee points to the spot. Beto will step-up to take this to round of an incredible turnaround?
85′: GOOOAAALLLL!! The crowd have gone berzerk. What a match. Football is a special sport ladies and gentleman! And this is one of the few reasons Dempo are champions of India.
87′: Lester goes into the referee’s book for time-wasting..
90′: Beto hits the bar after a great cross by Ranti Martins. That would have capped off a sensational comeback! Into FOUR added minutes we go. What can Pune do now?
93′: Pune piling on the pressure and Dempo holding on. Who says Indian football isn’t exciting? They need to take a look at themselves!
FULL-TIME: Dempo SC 2-1 Pune FC – A sensational four-minute burst by Dempo saw them score two late goals and break the hearts of an unlucky Pune FC. The club from Pune played well and deserved at least a point! BETO (Dempo SC) is the Man of the Match. He held his nerve for the penalty and provided a wonderful assist, as well. The champions go rolling on. This is THT correspondent Jonathan Desousa from a boisterous Margaon, signing off.