Dempo clinch semifinal spot
Dempo booked their ticket for the semifinals of the Federation Cup after trouncing Mumbai FC 4-0 in the third round Group A match at Keenan Stadium here on Sunday. A hat-trick from Koko Sakibo and another goal from Clifford Miranda ensured the five-time National league champions a place in the last four.
While Miranda dodged the defenders to glory after receiving a pass from Koko inside the dreaded area, the latter drilled the ball past an ailing Sharath K for his first. Koko’s two similar goals late in the second period put the match beyond any doubt. Dempo topped the pool with seven points from three matches.
Pailan Arrows finished behind Dempo with five points from three matches.
In their last encounter, they defeated Shillong Lajong 2-1. Goals from Holicharan Narzary and Prabir Das sealed the win for Arrows. Ebi Sukore netted the only goal for Lajong.
Sporting Clube win
Meanwhile, in Siliguri, Sporting Clube de Goa sneaked past a resurgent Kalighat Milan Sangha of Kolkata 3-2 in Group C.
Dawson Fernandes scored two while Macroy Piexote found the net for Sporting Clube. Nigerian Christopher Chizoba scored for Kalighat MS mounted a late challenge.
In the last match of the day, East Bengal survived an ONGC scare to register a 2-1 victory.
Katsumi Yusa gave ONGC the lead in the 11th minute. Edeh Chidi equalised for East Bengal before Manandeep Singh struck the winning goal.
