Manjeri: Last year’s runners up Dempo SC reached the knockout stages of the Federation Cup for the second consecutive time courtesy superior goal difference as they played out a goalless draw against Mohammedan Sporting in a crunch Group D encounter here at the MDSC Stadium Monday (January 20, 2014).

While Mohammedan Sporting needed to win, a draw was enough for Dempo to assure a place in the last-four stage. Both the outfits finished on seven pints from three matches with Dempo edging their counterparts by a single goal.

Mohammedan Sporting were profligate in front of goal with their Brazilian striker Josimar Da Silva failing convert a gilt-edged chance off Syed Rahim Nabi’s centre in the second half.

It was Dempo who dominated the first half but Mohammedan Sporting played with intent in the second but luck was not in their favour.

In the third minute, Josimar Da Silva got the better of Dempo’s Haroon Amiri, but failed to send in a cross into the box.

The forward was once again in the thick of things a few minutes later, exchanging passes with Nigerian Penn Orji, claiming a corner kick which eventually was tamely taken.

The match was only 15 minutes old when Jerry Zirsanga had to be taken after he picked up a knock, Coach Sanjoy Sen replacing him with former Indian International Ashim Biswas.

Dempo had more ball possession in the first half and could have converted had Jeje timed his run to perfection off Clifford Miranda’s teasing cross from inside the box in the 18th minute.

Romeo Fernandes too spurned couple of half-chances off Beto’s corner in the 14th minute and a inch-perfect diagonal ball one minute later.

In the 26th minute, Pronay Halder unleashed a powerful left-footer that went inches wide from another Clifford flag kick which was cleared only as far as the former by Mohammedan Sporting.

Brazilian Roberto Mendes Silva – who had impressed throughout the tournament – was at his usual best once again heckling the Mohammedan back-four of Dhanrajan, Luciano Sabrosa, Mehrajjudin Wadoo, and Nirmal Chhetri on numerous occasions.

On one such occasion he was brought down just outside the area by Rakesh Masih. The former Churchill Brothers though skied his effort much to the disappointment of
the packed crowd who were cheering his every move.

Just before the break, Masih’s ambitious shot from 35 yards out was collected well by Laxmikant Kattimani in Dempo goal.

Mohammedan Sporting – who have to win in order to advance to the semifinal – upped the ante after the break. Penn in the thick of things as he first let loose a rasping right-footer inches off target off Syed Rahim Nabi’s spadework and then failed to tap down Josimar’s headed put-through just in front of goal.

The best chance befell the Brazilian in the 74th minute. Nabi centred for Josimar from just outside the area but Josimar’s header at the near post was parried away to safety by an alert Kattimani.

Dempo sat deep and defended in the dying minutes of the match.