JOIN USDempo Sports Club took a big step towards winning the I-League title when they got the better of Churchill Brothers 4-2 in an exciting 23rd round tie at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda, on Wednesday.
Dempo consolidated their position at the top of the table with 50 points from 23 matches while Churchill stay on 41 from 23 matches.
In a match where fortunes fluctuated wildly, Dempo did well to snatch full points after Churchill had briefly threatened to steal the thunder.
It was Clifford Miranda who gave Dempo the lead in the 37th minute but Churchill fought back to level scores just before the change of ends, thanks to a strike from Brazilian midfielder Robert Mendes Silva.
Red card
In the second half, Roberto Mendes struck again to put Churchill ahead but Dempo’s Nigerian striker Ranti Martins and Koko Sakibo turned the match on its head with delightful strikes inside the first hour. Rowilson Rodrigues scored the fourth goal for Dempo five minutes from close.
Any hopes of a Churchill comeback evaporated when Roberto was sent off for his second offence. The win gave Dempo a seven point advantage over second placed Pune FC and with just three matches left to be played, this could prove decisive.
In Pune, Air India played out a goalless draw with Prayag United SC. The draw took Prayag to 39 points from 24 matches while Air India moved to 29 points from 24 matches.