A weak start to the match proved costly for Chirag United Kerala as table toppers Dempo SC defeated the Kerala club 2-1 in an way match in the 14th Round of I-League 2011-12 at the Nehru Stadium, Fatorda on Saturday. Clifford Miranda and Ranti Martins helped the Goans to victory while Vineeth CK returned a goal for Chirag, his second goal against Dempo SC this season having had scored in the 2-1 defeat to them at home in November 2011.
Dempo coming from a shock defeat to Prayag United in the previous round took the command of the game very early as Clifford Miranda put them ahead the clock was showing just 5 minutes. Peter Carvalho deserved the credit for Dempo's opener as he was the one who rounded past three Chirag defenders and crossed the ball in for Clifford to lash the ball into the back of the net.
Dempo did not go to rest despite taking the lead, but added to their advantage by scoring in the 15th minute. This time Anthony Perriera set up Ranti Martins who doubled the lead. Ranti Martins came back to haunt the away team having scored a brace against them earlier in the league.
Chirag Kerala struck back immediately, making it a highly enjoyable half hour of football for the crowd gathered at the stadium in Goa. Vineeth CK scored one of the best goals yet this season as he reverse kicked a high ball on to the target, petrifying Dempo custodian Subhashish Roy Choudhary.
Chirag created more chances in the second half, but the Dempo defence were up to it whenever the away side threatened. Vineeth had the opportunity to grab late equaliser, but he failed to work the goalkeeper when provided with a good opportunity, hitting straight at the hands of Subhashish.
The win completed Dempo's double over Chirag this season. They had defeated Chirag with the same scoreline at the University Stadium, Trivandrum in the Round 5 of the I-League in November.
Dempo SC are three points clear at the table top for now, with Kingfisher East Bengal with 27 points from 14 games following them. Chirag have 11 points from 14 games, staying at number 12 in the standings.
From the archive. First published on footballkerala.com on Saturday 14 January 2012, restored from the site's 2012 database. Text as originally published.