Kolkata: Ranti Martins struck a brace as Goa’s Dempo Sports Club consolidated their place at the top of the I-League table with a 2-0 win over ten-man Pailan Arrows here on Sunday.
After a goalless first half, Martins found the mark in the 53rd and 83rd minutes at the Yuba Bharati Krinangan.
Pailan had to play with a man short for 56 minutes after their goalkeeper Naveen Kumar was sent off in the 34th minute.
The youngsters of Pailan started off on an attacking note but suffered a big blow when Naveen rushed out of the box and brought down Dempo upfronter Koko and was given the marching orders.
Crossing over, Dempo went into the lead when Ranti netted a cross from Valeriano Rebello.
Ranti scored the insurance goal seven minutes from close with a net finishing off a cross from Anthony Periera.
After 20 games, Dempo have now moved up to 43 points. Pailan, on the other hand, occupy the 13h and penultimate slot with eight points from 18 outings.
Meanwhile, reigning champions Salgaocar Sports Club edged out Sporting Clube de Goa 2-1 and continued to maintain their unbeaten race in consecutive 11 outings of the I-League Football Championship match played here at Nehru stadium Fatorda on Sunday.
Bevan D’melo in the 24th minute and Tomba Singh in the 65th minute scored for Salgaocar, while Kalu Ogba reduced the margin for Sporting in the 66th minute.
Salgaocar avenged the defeat they had suffered 2-4 against Sporting in the first leg clash and jumped on to the third spot with 36 points from 20 outings, while Sporting remained on same 30 points from equal number of outings.
Salgaocar surged ahead in the 24th minute, when Edeh Chidi unleashed a power-packed shot. It hit the rival goalkeeper and defelcted towards Beevan, who was lurking inside the goal and pounced upon the opportunity before shooting into the net. Salgaocar were leading 1-0 at the breather.
After change over, Sporting played with renewed vigour and had a couple of scoring opportunities to level the score in the 58th and 62nd minutes, first James Mogo’s well attempted shot went wide and then Dawson Fernandes’ long ranger shot was well fisted over the bar by goalkeeper.
Salgaocar increased their lead in the 65th minute through Tomba Singh of a pass received from Isfaq Ahmead to make it 2-0.
Sporting reduced the margin in the 66th minute through Kalu Ogba whose long range powerful shot found the net to make it 2-1. (Agencies)
