Both the teams played at lively pace as the ball moved to and fro, but were unable to break the deadlock as both the defenders marshalled their citadel well.
Dempo played out a goalless draw against East Bengal to split points in the 12th round match of the I-League played at Nehru stadium, in Margao today.
Both the teams played at lively pace as the ball moved to and fro, but were unable to break the deadlock as both the defenders marshalled their citadel well.
Dempo who had a better share of exchanges did not use the flanks well as they build their moves from the middle which helped the rival to close the gaps and cut off their moves.
Defenders Mahesh Gawli and Sameer Naik gave good account of themselves as they made timely tackles to keep Baichung Bhutia and Yakubu quite.
On the other, East Bengal played a waiting game relied more on counter moves and were presented the first chances in the 9th minute, but Bhutia header missed the target narrowly off a long lob from Nirmal Chetri. Few minutes later, Yakubu forced Keeper Laxmikant Kattimani to make a diving save.
Dempo created couple of scoring opportunities but first Joaquim Abranches was not quick to react as he failed to head a cross from Clifford Miranda from the left. Thereafter Peter Carvalho's low shot was collected by keeper Abhara Mondal.
Dempo continued to hold ball possession after change of ends, nearly scored through man of the match Peter Carvalho whose 30-yards rasping shot was punched over by Mondal.
Dempo, piled on the pressure and nearly scored, but Joaquim Abranches missed an open chance off a pass from Sunil Chetri as he drove the ball out with Maharaj hotly chasing him.
Both the teams pressed hard in the last quarter of the match and East Bengal came with counter moves and nearly scored, Abel Hammond who looked dangerous on the right got two chances but failed to beat Laxmikant Kattimani first and later was unlucky to see his fierce shot rattle the post off a well directed pass from Yakubu.
Dempo continued to stay at the top of the table with 23 points from 12 matches and are three points clear of Mohun Bagan who lost to Salgaocar yesterday.
Referee Deepak Singh showed yellow card to Dempo's Anthony Pereira, Clifford Miranda and East Bengal's Alvito D'Cunha.
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