Agragami capitalise on Dempo prodigality

It also performed an encore of sorts with the nippy Nigerian striker also having scored the only goal in the team’s first meeting in Calcutta almost a month ago. Tollygunge Agragami, a club of modest resources, will now attempt to realise a dream by attempting to beat JCT in their concluding match at home on February 14.

The silence among the spectators at the end of the match contrasted with the drama and excitement of the beginning when an opening minute burst led to a penalty forthe home side. Tollygunge goalkeeper Sumit Mukherjee was adjudged by referee MS Balu to have brought down striker Francis Silveira but the award failed to bring retribution.

Iraqi striker Majid Nima, who according to Dempo coach TK Chattuny stepped up impetuously to upstage regular spot kick taker Christopher, sent a grounder wide. Tollygunge, coached by Amal Dutta, were quick to punish Dempo and the Calcutta side struck with their only clear cut chance of the match.

Mid-fielder Bastan Roy chipped into the box and Chibuzor, at the second time of asking, headed home via goalkeeper Vikrant Sharma’s gloves.

Tollygunge, content to stay back and absorb the pressure, did just that as their Goan opponents turned on the heat in an effort to stay alive in the league.

But chance after chance went abegging, the misses reaching comical proportions as the match wore on. Nigerian makeshift striker Martin Uzor, the worst culprit, failed with five good opportunities none more glaring than the other one coming withhalf time beckoning.

Good work by mid-fielder Marcus Carvalho, capped by a square pass, eluded Uzor who could have scored with a simple tap.

Dempo brought in mid-fielder Tejinder Kumar for the ageing Maurico Al Afanso but although the move added to the zip in the home side attack, it only swelled the list of wasted chances.

But it also brought out the best in Tollygunge goalkeeper Mukherjee who reacted well to the tip Tejinder’s menacing free kick over, thwarted Muthey Rodrigues with a cool collection and touched over another long-range shot, this time by Melwyn Rodrigues.

As the torrent of chances flowed unabated, it was time for Mukherjee to be beaten. And beaten he was with only two minutes remaining — only for the metal-work to deny wing-back Itocha Singh’s 30 yard stunner.

Amal Dutta, who came in for some ridicule after Tollygunge’s loss to Churchill on Sunday, was quick to point out that his Box’ worked today. He proudly admitted his side’s sand-bagging strategy after scoring, saying he hadno qualms in defending to retain the scoreline and seal three precious points in an away game.

Dempo coach Chattunny, near dumfounded by his side’s incredible prodigality, castigated his goalie Sharma for waiting for the whistle while claiming a foul on him by scorer Chibuzor.

The former Bagan and Salgaocar coach refuted the goal, asserting that referee Balu failed to punish Chibuzor’s push on Sharma.