JCT stuns table-topper Dempo 3-2

Margao, Apr 12 (UNI) Riding on a fine brace by man of the match Sunil Chetri, JCT Mills Phagwara stunned table toppers Dempo Sports Club 3-2 and gained full points in their 13th round ONGC National Football League championship match played at the Nehru Stadium Fatorda today.

Sunil Chetri (30th and 56th minutes) and Sukhvinder Singh (78th minute) scored for JCT, while Anthony Pereira (60th minute) and Roberto Silva (84th minute) reduced the margin for Dempo.

It was a closely contested match in which the millmen had an edge. But, Dempo came up with the first good move as early as in the 7th minute. It was a combined move when Climax Lawrence passed to Renty Martin who, in quick succession, passed on to Peter Carvalo whose well attempted shot was smartly saved by JCT goalkeeper Karanjit Singh.

In a counter-attack in the very next minute, JCT's Renedy Singh sent a well-measured pass to Sunil Chetri whose shot was saved by Dempo goalkeeper Satish Kumar.

JCT, however, drew first blood in the 30th minute through Sunil Chetri. Edeh Chidi, after dribbling past a couple of rival defenders, unleashed a shot which hit one of the rival defenders and rebounded towards Chetri who was lurking inside the goal. Chetri pounced upon the opportunity and his perfect placement found the net to make it 1-0.

The millmen had a golden opportunity to increase their lead in the 32nd minute but Chetri, who had only to beat the goalkeeper, missed a sitter. Kumar, the rival goalkeeper, palmed away the ball to safety.

Dempo had a chance to equalise in the 40th minute when Renty Martin gave a beautiful pass to Anthony Pereira but the latter's hasty shot went wide.

JCT consolidated their lead in the 56th minute off a controversial penalty goal. Dempo's Clifford Miranda brought down Edeh Chidi in the danger zone and referee Deepak Singh Bert awarded the penalty in favour of the millmen. Sunil Chetri converted the spot kick to make it 2-0.

Dempo reduced the margin in the 60th minute through Anthony Pereira whose perfect placement found the net and made it 2-1. It was a good pass received from Clifford Miranda.

The millmen further increased their lead in the 78th minute through Sukhvinder Singh off a pass from Sunil Chetri to make it 3-1.

But Dempo's Roberto Silva retaliated in the 84th minute off a free kick to make it 3-2.

Dempo had their best chance to level in the last minute of the regulation time but rival goalkeeper Karanjit Singh beautifully punched away a free kick shot taken by Roberto Silva for a corner.

With this win, JCT increased their points tally to 18 from 13 outings and jumped to the fifth place, relegating Air India to the sixth place. Dempo maintained its place at the top with 23 points from equal number of matches.

UNI