Thaindian News

Pune, Feb 1 (IANS) Ranti Martins scored a brace, including an injury-time goal, as Dempo defeated Mumbai FC 2-0 to open a six-point lead at the top in the 18th round I-League football at the Balewadi Sports Complex ground here Wednesday.

With 40 points from 18 matches, Dempo are now sitting pretty at the top of the heap while Mumbai FC stays at 14 points from 18 matches, just a whisker away from drop zone after losing their sixth straight match.

Mumbai FC had themselves to blame for their poor show even though they were up against the best team in the I-League.

Ranti scored the first goal from the penalty spot that rolled into the post on the left of Sanjiban Ghosh.

Down 0-1, Mumbai FC tried to find an equalizer in vain as striker Ebi Sukore was woefully out of form.

On changing the ends, Sukore created a chance with a bicycle kick but his final shot was too feeble to unsettle Dempo custodian Subhasish Roy Chowdhury, who collected the ball effortlessly in the 48th minute.

Four minutes were added into the match and even as Mumbai FC showed urgency, they couldn’t find any opening, instead it was Dempo that chanced on a move from the right. Trinidadian Denzil Theobald got three defenders and Mumbai FC keeper Ghosh engaged before sending a pass to unmarked Ranti Martin, who had all the time in the world to walk through the goal-line with the ball.