Dempo down HAL with three first-half goals

Goalkeeper Subhash Kumar's lapses proved costly for Hindustan Aeronautics, Bangalore, as they suffered a 0-3 defeat to Dempo, Goa, in an Oil PSU-seventh National Football League match at the Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Friday.

Dempo, who led 3-0 at half-time, scored through Francis Silveira (15th minute), Sergey Andreev (18th) and Olubiyi Majek Bolaji (22nd).

With this win, Dempo took their tally to 16 points from seven matches, one point behind the leaders East Bengal while HAL remain on four points from six matches.

Both the teams started off well, gauging each others' strength. Play was confined to midfield for the first 15 minutes but keeper Kumar let HAL down as he goofed up thrice to allow Dempo score all their goals in a span of seven minutes and lead 3-0 at half-time.

Wilton, from the right sent, a diagonal pass into the box and the keeper, who was positioned close to Silveira, failed to thwart the player, who flicked the ball which brushed off Kumar's hands and went into the net.

Three minutes later, Kumar messed up again as he allowed Sergy Andreev to head home after Silveira had headed to him off a cross from Clifford Miranda from the left.

Two minutes later, Bolaji sealed HAL's fate as he got past defender Dayanada and chipped the ball, which Kumar misjudged. The ball brushed the goalkeeper's hand as he tried to tip it over the crossbar.

Complete Coverage: 7th National Football League 2002-03