First-half goals by Dempo sink JCT

Both Dempo and JCT had drawn goalless their opening encounters in the league against Churchill Brothers and Mohun Bagan respectively. Dempo dominated the first half of the fast paced match with short crisp passes but lost their way in the second half.

After making two dangerous but unsuccessful attempts at the JCT goal, the Goans took the lead when Okoro sent a stiff grounder past the diving ‘keeper Virender Singh off a cross from Tejinder Kumar.

Dempo, who finished sixth last year, one slot ahead of JCT, kept on probing and succeeded forcing their third corner which resulted in the second goal seven minuteslater.

Tejinder Kumar, who took the flag kick, floated the ball into the goal mouth and Soares, in a flesh of action, headed the ball between Harjinder and Daljit leaving keeper Virender stranded.

JCT midfield, which failed to function cohesively in the first half, came back with renewed ideas in the second part bringing in Harinder Singh and Dipankar Roy in place of Harjinder Singh and Rampal.

A-I desperate for a win

CALCUTTA: Air-India will be a desperate lot in their match against Mohun Bagan in Group A tomorrow. Having suffered a stunning 0-3 defeat to Tollygunge Agragami, Bimal Ghosh’s side needs to re-organise itself. A loss tomorrow will put them in a difficult situation. This stage being played under the home-and-away format, Air-India will get opportunities to make-up later as three teams from this group will qualify for the `super-six’, but a defeat will not be good for the team’s morale.

Mohun Bagan too dropped points against JCT in Delhi and will look for a win in front of thehome crowd. The defending champions struggled to strike rhythm against JCT and Chima Okerie even missed a spot-kick. Although they dominated, Bagan’s finishing turned out to be very poor.

Indian Bank favourites

KOLLAM: An interesting tussle for supremacy is very much on the cards when star-studded Indian Bank, Chennai, lock horns with talented FC Kochin, at the Lal Bahadur Stadium grounds here tomorrow.