New Delhi: Mahindra United edged out defending champions Dempo SC in the postponed 11th round I-League clash at the Cooperage Stadium and the final score read the same from last year when the two sides met at the same venue on the very same day.
With this win, Mahindra have 12 points and have climbed to the eighth position while Dempo continue to remain eight points adrift the league leaders Sporting Clube De Goa.
Mohamed Rafi, Chidi Edeh and Douhou Pierre scored for Mahindra while Roberto Mendes Silva put one for Dempo SC.
Both sides looked rusty in the initial stages as none could make an impression.
The first real attempt, though off target, came from Joaquim Abranches when he lobbed the ball over goalkeeper Subashish Chowdhury after some good work by fellow striker Ranti Martins.
Thereafter, Steven Dias deflected the ball onto Chidi's path but the ball was cleared by Dempo custodian Sathish Kumar in the 16th minute.
Chidi playing against his former side was very active and sent a perfect through ball for Rafi but an alert Mahesh Gawli cut in and cleared the danger.
Mahindra looked more dominating at this period and looked to create openings. Sukhwinder Singh's long ranger was well collected by Sathish Kumar while Chidi missed a glorious chance in the 23rd minute.
Mohamed Rafi's ball across the face of the goal was missed by Chidi having an open goal in front of him. The game once again went into a lull period and neither team could do anything to threaten the other. Roberto Silva or Beto committed a foul on Sukhwinder and it was from the resultant freekick that the first goal came.
Steven Dias laid the ball for Sukhwinder whose powerful shot was stopped by goalkeeper Sathish Kumar. Chidi picked up the bits and pieces and his cross saw tap into the net. The first half ended with Mahindra leading 1-0.
After the break, Mahindra continued the good work with Chidi's cross being deflected by Mahesh Gawli but there was no Mahindra body at the far post. Mahindra medio Douhou collected Rafi'sball and shot it over the Dempo bar from close range three minutes into the second half.
Dempo found the equaliser through a Beto header off a rebound after Ranti Martion's fierce left footer hit the inside of the crossbar.
Climax Lawrence's weak attempt couldn't trouble the Mahindra goalkeeper Subashish Chowdhury. Mahindra coach Derrick Pereira brought in Arata Izumi for Paresh Shivalkar, who hadn't done much in the game. Steven Dias' dipping cross was tipped over the bar by Dempo custodian Sathish Kumar.
Dempo could have killed off the game in the 65th minute as they missed two opportunities.
Beto's freekick hit the wall and Anthony Pereira's resultant attempt was stopped by Justine Stephen. The ball went only as far as Cresson Antao whose shot from three yards out was blocked in time by Dhanraj Ravanan.
Rafi made way for Pradeep which saw the Indian international partner Sukhwinder in the middle of the park while Douhou went forward.
In the 69th minute, Mahindra players went up in unison asking for a penalty when Mahesh Gawli tackled Arata Izumi inside the area.
Mahindra scored the second goal through the man who was involved in almost every move – Chidi Edeh. The Nigerian scored his second of this I-League season after receiving the ball from Douhou in the 78th minute.
Seven minutes later, the final nail in the coffin came when Chidi sent in a cross which was ably headed in by Douhou.
Goalscorers Mahindra: Mohamed Rafi (39th min), Chidi Edeh (78th min) and Douhou (84th min)
Goalscorer Dempo: Beto (49th min)
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