Vasco (Goa): Two first half strikes saw Dempo SC score a 2-0 win over Rangdajied United FC to move to fifth place in their return match of the I-League here on Saturday.
Dempo scored through Alwyn George (seventh minute) and Haroon Amiri (44th). With 19 points from 16 matches, they jumped to fifth place behind Shillong Lajong FC.
Rangdajied, who suffered their second straight defeat here, remain at the bottom with 12 points from 16 matches, having lost last week to Churchill Brothers.
Dempo, who were in 10th position, just four points above bottom place RUFC, strengthened their defence and strike force with the recruitment of foreigners, Afghanistan captain Haroon Amiri and Tolgay Ozbey.
They took the early lead when a Clifford Miranda shot hit the post Alwyn George shot home with a simple tap off the rebound.
Rangdajied counter-attacked, but skipper Eugeneson Lyngdoh’s power-packed shot was blocked by Dempo keeper Laxmikant Katamani.
Amiri found the net in the 44th minute when he tapped the ball home after the rival defence failed to clear the ball from a corner.
Rangdajied who struggled in the first half in the absence of their two foreigners – Edmar Figueira and Kim Song Yong (the latter coming on as a substitute) – played purposefully in the second half and held ball possession though without penetrating deep.
With a two-goal advantage, Dempo only had to run down the clock in the second session which they managed to do without any discomfort.
The Blues have now endured their eighth loss of the season, the most of any club so far.
They will now return to Shillong in preparation for their March 1 match against Bengaluru FC.
BFC are leading the points table and will surely be a tough challenge for the bottom-dwelling club.
Rangdajied will hope that the signing of United SC striker Ranti Martins will boost their attacking capabilities with the Nigerian set to be available for the next fixture.
Meanwhile, on Sunday, Salgaocar will host Mohun Bagan, while Pune are at home to Sporting Clube de Goa.
Lajong will not play until February 23, with their Sunday match against Mohammedan Sporting postponed due to the latter’s participation in the IFA Shield final. (Agencies).
I-League 2013-14
eam P W L D GF GA Pts
Bengaluru FC 15 9 3 3 25 15 30
Sporting Clube de Goa 14 8 3 3 22 13 27
Pune FC 14 7 4 3 19 14 24
Shillong Lajong FC 15 6 4 5 20 22 23
Dempo SC 16 4 5 7 15 17 19
Salgaocar 14 5 6 3 18 19 18
Mohun Bagan 15 4 5 6 14 13 18
East Bengal 11 5 3 3 18 12 18
United SC 15 4 5 6 15 17 18
Mumbai FC 14 3 4 7 18 19 16
Churchill Brothers 14 3 7 4 13 18 13
Mohammedan Sporting 13 3 6 4 13 17 13
Rangdajied United FC 16 2 8 6 14 27 12