Photographs: AIFF Media
Riding on Holicharan Narzary's first half strike, five-time champions Dempo returned to winning ways with a narrow 1-0 victory against Mohun Bagan in a Round 15 I-League in Kolkata on Saturday.
Narzary smashed the ball past Sandip Nandy in a brilliant 33rd minute strike to help Dempo bag their first win from six matches.
There was a setback for Dempo who were reduced to 10-man when Jewel Raja was sent off following a second yellow, but the Goans had sealed the issue by then.
Dempo had last won against defending champions Churchill Brothers in a round nine fixture slipping to the bottom-half, but the win took them to seventh place with 16 points from 14 matches.
It was once again a pathetic display from the home side who were at their wasteful best, while ace forward Odafa Okolie continued his slump in form as they slipped to 10th with 15 points from 14 matches.
Referee C Srikishna found himself in the centre of controversy ruling out a penalty appeal from the home side after Narayan Das used his arm to block a Ram Malik cross inside the box in the 11th minute.
Kalu Ogba's hat-trick helps Sporting defeat Shillong Lajong
Image: Sporting Clube de Goa Coach Oscar Bruzon giving a tactical talkPhotographs: Sporting Clube de Goa
Kalu Ogba scored a hat-trick to guide Sporting Clube de Goa to an emphatic 5-1 win over Shillong Lajong at Duler Stadium, Mapusa.
Shillong Lajong took the lead in the 15th minute through Taisuke Matsugane before Ogba restored parity in the 25th minute to go 1-1 at half time.
The Goan side than totally dominated the second half with Ogba spearheading the attack which put his team ahead in the 59th minute and Boima Karpeh increasing the lead in the 65th minute.
Ogba struck his third goal few minutes later to give Sporting a decisive edge before substitute Victorino Fernandes rounded the tally with a solo run in the stoppage time.
Sporting have taken their tally to 24 points and closing the gap at the top over Bengaluru FC with three points.
Shillong Lajong remained on third place with 20 points.
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