Bambolim, Oct 25: A profligate East Bengal were left to rue their missed chances as they were held to a dramatic 2-2 draw by a resilient Dempo SC in their opening Group A match of the Super Cup here on Saturday.
Mohamed Ali gave Dempo a first-half lead before Naorem Mahesh Singh and Miguel Ferreira turned the game around for East Bengal.
But just when victory seemed secure, Laximanrao Rane struck late for Dempo to break the hearts of the Red and Golds.
It was the first meeting between these two historic clubs in more than a decade, with East Bengal having emerged victorious the last time they clashed in the I-League back in 2015.
The Red and Golds, who were Super Cup champions in 2024 and runners-up in the recent IFA Shield, entered the s contest as clear favourites. But Dempo, unbeaten in this season’s Goa Pro League and playing on home soil, refused to play to the script.
Dempo made most of the opportunity they got in the 27th minute from a set-piece. Amay Morajkar floated a teasing free-kick into the box. East Bengal goalkeeper Debjit Majumdar rushed off his line but completely misjudged the flight of the ball.In the ensuing chaos, the ball fell kindly to Mohamed Ali, who made no mistake slotting into an empty net.However, just a minute after the restart, East Bengal’s Hamid Ahadad unleashed a stinging shot from distance. (PTI)
