Dazzling Dempo keep Indian flag flying

History was created at Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore on Tuesday night. For the first time, an Indian football club moved into the semi-finals of the AFC Cup, at the expense of Home United.

History was created at Jalan Besar Stadium, Singapore on Tuesday night. For the first time, an Indian football club moved into the semi-finals of the AFC Cup, at the expense of Home United. Dempo Sports Club of Goa, and of course, Indian football, have reasons to celebrate. After India8217;s entry to the main rounds of the Asian Cup, Dempo8217;s triumph today came as an icing on the cake. So, raise a toast to Indian football that is progressing big time.

The match was an edge-of-the-seat affair as the 4-3 scoreline suggests. Mboyo Iyomi drew first blood for Dempo in the very first minute, only to see Peres De Oliveira canceling it 12 minutes later. Dempo once again took the lead in the 24th minute through Roberto Mendes Silva Beto. Home United were dealt another blow when Valery Hiek was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 28th minute. But it didn8217;t stop them from searching for another equaliser.

It came in the 36th minute when Kengne Ludovick was brought down in the box and though De Oliveira8217;s penalty was parried by Abhijit Mondal, Indra Sahdan was on hand to tap home the rebound from close range.

A couple of minutes on and Indra Sadhan was once again in the thick of things, as he drove home a Ludovick cross from the right.

The hosts enjoyed the lead till Climax Lawrance got the better of Home United goalie Lewis first minute into the added-on time in the first half.

The first leg match between the two at Gachibowli Stadium in Hyderabad had ended in a 1-1 draw. With the score tied at 3-3 at half-time in this return leg encounter, Dempo had the away goal advantage. United had no option but to go all out for a win. Indra and Ludovick constantly probed the rival defence to no avail.

Dempo coach Armando Colaco preferred to play a waiting game and tried to hit the opponent on the break. The move paid off seven minutes from time. Beto, who had an excellent game, collected a loose ball and put things well beyond the hosts.

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Ludovick put the ball in the net a minute later, but referee Fareed Ali Mohamed Almarzouqi from UAE disallowed that for an infringement.