Mapusa (Goa): Koko Sakibo scored a hat-trick as Dempo trounced United Sikkim FC 7-0 in a 17th round match of the I-League here on Saturday.
Dempo, who led 2-0 at half time, scored through Joaquim Abranches (5th), Clifford Miranda (35th, 77th), Sakibo (56th, 59th, injury time) and Joy Ferrao (84th).
The win takes Dempo to 33 points from 16 matches, the same as East Bengal, while United Sikkim FC remained at the bottom with 10 points from 16 matches.
Dempo, who had failed to win in their last three matches, were desperate to garner full points to keep themselves close to Churchill Brothers, who are leading the table with 37 points.
They began aggressively and did not feel the absence of key players who were on the injury list and took the lead in the fifth minute.
Dempo piled on the pressure and increased the lead in the 35th minute through Miranda.
United Sikkim goalkeeper Ghosh put up a brave fight as he made couple of good saves in the second half as the home team came up with a barrage of moves and the Sikkim defence crumbled under pressure to concede five more goals.
Sakibo found the net from close in the 56th minute. Three minutes later, Sakibo again found the net for his second goal before accomplishing his hat-trick with another strike in injury time. (PTI)