New Delhi: Dempo SC have made their way into the 30th Federation Cup finals by beating Churchill Brothers SC 2-0 at the Salt Lake Stadium, Kolkata in the first semi-finals.
A good team performance saw the AFC Cup semi-finalists through to the finals.
Armando Colaco started with almost all their regulars with the exception of defender John Dias as Dominic Noronha was preferred. Churchill Brothers SC employed Khan Paite on the left while Jaison Valles on the right flank with Robert Laltampuana and Warun Dep as the two full backs.
The Indian champions had the better of the touches in the initial few minutes and their confidence rose with an excellent move in the sixth minute. Valeriano Rebello’s cross from the right to Ranti Martins went towards Joaquim Abranches.
Collecting the return ball, Ranti Martin’s left footed strike saw Churchill custodian Arindam Bhattacharya make a desperate save.
Dempo kept pressing with their slick passing and didn’t allow Churchill Brothers to get a footing in the game. Beto and Joaquim saw their shots being blocked. Cresson Antao released Anthony Pereira who took the ball inside the box and his attempted cross from the goalline to the bodies in the middle was met by Kalu Nnanna’s hand.
The referee Shaji Kurien pointed to the spot and Ranti Martins sent Arindam the wrong way to put his side in a commanding position early on.
Warun Deep injured himself in attempting to stop Anthony Pereira in the move which won the penalty and was substituted for D. Raju.
Ranti Martins brilliantly turned off his marker and released the ball on the right for Joaquim whose final cross wasn’t the best. Arindam Bhattacharya looked solid at the back for a change as he punched out a dangerous Beto free-kick from the left.
At the other end, Robert’s cross was headed by Chitra towards Odafa, who tried to lob it but brought no result.
Valeriano was making some good moves forward and his cross to Beto would have easily found the back of the net had it not been for Arindam’s interception.
Beto started a fine counter from his own half and made some free space for him accelerating at the right moments to find Clifford Miranda.
The Indian international’s left footer sailed over the bar in what was the best move of the first half.
After the break, it was Churchill who tried to put some pressure and find an equaliser. Raju found Odafa on the left who did well to beat Dominic but his final shot was easily collection for Dempo custodian Sathish Kumar.
The very next minute, Clifford Miranda saw Ranti’s run and released the ball. Ranti’s poor first touch did him in as Arindam came out to collect.
Substitute Raju found his way into the box but an astute Mahesh Gawli and Cresson Antao averted the danger with the Churchill player going down.
Dempo right back Valeriano made his move from the center and found Joaquim on the right who went for glory and was a poor effort for the striker.
Dempo doubled their lead in the 58th minute as Joaquim’s cross from the edge of the box on the right saw Clifford Miranda’s diving header find the back of the net. Anthony Pereira deserved every bit of credit as well for initiating the move in the first place.
Kalu Nnanna was living dangerously and was lucky not to have been sent off after some clumsy challenges on Beto and Climax around the hour mark. Odafa, who was missing in action for most of the game, saw his shot go wide after a good interplay with fellow Nigerian Kalu.
Churchill coach Zoran Djordjevic brought on Nicholas Rodrigues for Khan Paite, who had a forgettable day along with most Churchill players.
A clash of heads between Kalu Nnanna and Ranti Martins off a Nicholas Radrigues free-kick saw both players go down. After receiving medical help, they were helped off the field in an ambulance for precautionary measures.
After the play resumed, Anthony Pereira’s attempted cross hit the crossbar in the 84th minute. In the ten minutes off added time, Churchill couldn’t do much and the game ended with the same scoreline.
Goalscorers Dempo SC: Ranti Martins (13th pen) and Clifford Miranda (58th min)
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