Defending champions go down 0-1 to Dempo; EB lose to Churchill Bros by same margin.
Salgaocar made a poor start to their title-defence going down 0-1 to arch-rivals Dempo in the opening game of I-League football at the Nehru Stadium on Saturday. Dempo struck through Nigerian Ranti Martins in the second half to pick up three points from the match.
Martins scored in the 80th minute after a through ball from Joaquim Abranches and slot it past Karanjit Singh to spark the celebrations among Dempo fans.
Salgaocar played with their Japanese striker Ryuiji Sueoka in a supporting role behind Chidi Edeh and lacked the penetrating power. Their latest recruit Ishfaq Ahmed, former Mohun Bagan captain was disappointing while Chidi Edeh failed to get into the thick of the things.
Dempo got the only chance to move ahead in the first half, but Joaquim Abranches failed to slot it in after being set up by a curling cross from Anthony Pereira in the 38th minute.
Salgaocar coach Karim Bencherifa replaced Gilbert Oliviera by Francis Fernandes but things didn’t improve for the champions as they failed to keep possession of the ball. The game was moving towards a draw but Abranches found Ranti in space and the striker made no mistake with only the goalkeeper to beat.
Meanwhile, East Bengal paid heavily for defensive lapses as they lost by a solitary goal to Churchill Brothers in their opening encounter at the floodlit Yuba Bharati Krirangan. ND Opara scored the match-winner for Churchill in the 12th minute as Bengal returned goalless.
Mumbai derby in Pune
City outfits Air India and Mumbai FC will open their I-League campaigns on Sunday, when they lock horns at the Balewadi Sports Complex on Sunday. The teams will play their matches in Pune till the renovation work at the Cooperage Stadium in Mumbai is complete.
Stopwatch
Dempo 1 beat Salgaocar SC 0
Chirag Kerala 1 beat HAL 0
Pune FC 0 drew with Shillong
Lajong FC 0
East Bengal 0 lost to Churchill Brothers 1
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