Champions Dempo held by Pune FC

Newly-crowned champions Dempo played out a 1-1 draw against Pune FC in their final round encounter of the I-League, at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Goa, on Thursday.

Dempo, who had already clinched the title, thus finished their league engagement with a tally to 54 points from 26 matches.

Clifford Miranda helped Dempo surge ahead in the sixth minute but Pune FC's Izumi Arata drew parity in the 18th.

Debutants Pune FC, who needed an outright win to finish second, have 42 points, two points ahead of last edition's winner Churchill Brothers.

Churchill play Air India in Goa on Friday and a victory will take them to the second place.

Dempo, although without two foreigners, controlled the proceeding in the first half with short quick passes and took an early lead in the sixth minute.        

Climax Lawrence, who controlled the midfield along with Peter Carvalho, laid a pass to Clifford Miranda, who chested the ball and essayed a volley to find the back of the net.

Anthony Pereira, who played well on the right, had a good chance to increase the lead in the 16th minute but missed the target following an Anwar Ali pass.

Pune FC showed lot of determination and restored parity in the 18th minute. Douhou Pierre, from the middle, split the rival defence with a pass to Arata, who, after taking a rival defender in his stride, placed the ball into the net.