THE BLOG BY CPD FOOTBALL | The World of Indian football and beyond by Chris Punnakkattu Daniel

Federation Cup 2012: Dempo advance to the semis

Dempo SC v Mumbai FC

Dempo booked their ticket to the semi-finals of the Federation Cup after trouncing Mumbai FC 4-0 in the third round Group A match at Keenan Stadium here on Sunday.

A hattrick from Koko Sakibo and another from Clifford Miranda ensured the five-time National League champions a place in the last four of the second most important tournament of the All India Football Federation (AIFF) calendar.

While Miranda – who scored in every match so far – dodged the defender to glory after receiving a right to left pass from Koko inside the dreaded area, the latter drilled the ball past an ailing Sharath K for his first. Koko’s two similar goals late in the second period put the match beyond any doubt. The win enabled everyone to forget Ryuji Sueoka’s miss from the spot when the match was two minutes old.

Dempo finish top of the table with seven points from three matches while Lajong remain on three from that many matches.

(AIFF Press Release)