Late goal gives Dempo victory

A goal three minutes from time enabled Dempo Sports Club, Goa, get the better of ITI, Bangalore, by a solitary goal in a lacklustre National Football League match in Bangalore on Thursday.

After a barren first-half, former India player Mario Soares scored the all-important goal for Dempo in the 87th minute, capitalising on a half-chance, following a pass from Sergey Andrew, and beat ITI goalkeeper Gumphe Rime, who was slow to react.

Following the victory, Dempo have nine points from three wins and a defeat, while ITI have only one point from a draw and two defeats.

The Dempo lads did not live up to expecations and throughout the first-half both teams were involved in meaningless exchanges.

Dempo almost scored in the 30th minute but their Nigerian forward Majek Bolaji's powerful shot was saved in superb fashion by Rime. Six minutes later, Soares had chance to score when put through by Bolaji but made a mess of it.

After the break, Dempo called the shots but were unable to score till Soares was on target in the dying minutes.

Complete Coverage: 7th National Football League 2002-03