By IANS
Kolkata : Dempo SC and Mohun Bagan played out a goalless draw here Saturday that virtually assured the Goan outfit of the I-league title.
Bagan missed at least three sitters as their title hopes were dashed.
Luck was not on Bagan’s side. Dharamjit Singh’s left-footer came off the post as early in the 43rd second. Lalam Puian missed an open net on the rebound. In fact, it was Puian and his substitute Isfaq Ahmed, both inept and ill equipped, who killed Bagan’s hopes.
Baichung Bhutia could not play owing to suspension and his absence was felt every minute.
The hosts needed a win to remain a serious contender for the title, while Dempo needed a draw. The visitors dominated the first half. The Peter Odafe-led Bagan defence cancelled Ranti Martins and company. Brazilian Beto was effective as a scheemer and adjudged the man of the match, but Bagan had more goal-scoring opportunities.
Dempo’s first half opportunities came deep into the session, when Mahesh Gawli’s header was barely kept out by Sangram Mukherjee, before Douglas made a final clearance.
In the 10th minute, Jose Barreto set up an opportunity with Puian with an aerial ball. Puian missed from close range.
In the 78th minute, substitute Lal Kamal Bhowmick had Dempo custodian Abhijit Mondal at his mercy, but hit wide. In between, the play was mainly restricted to midfield with Dempo trying to play safe. That Barreto was only half-fit also did not help.
Dempo’s second real chance in the match came in the 73rd minute when the inter-play between Martins and Beto caught Bagan defence flat footed. The opportunity was set up for Nicolau Borges who had all the time in the world to beat Sangram Mukherjee. Borges’ left-footer was off target.
After the match, the Dempo contingent was all smiles as they moved to 32 points from 16 matches. Bagan stayed third on 28 points.