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Dempo SC scored two second half goals to end the hopes of the defending champion Salgaocar SC in the second semifinal of the 34th Federation Cup at Siliguri’s Kanchanjungha Stadium on Friday. The two men in Dempo attack, Joaquim Abranches and Nigerian Koko Sakibo, found the target in tandem in the final quarter of the match.
Dempo, which last reached the final in 2008, will take on localfavourite East Bengal in the title round on Sunday. With Dempo’sentry to the final East Bengal was ensured a place in the AFC Cup as the Goa club is the defending I-League champion.
The second half turned exciting following a goalless opening session,where both the teams adopted a cautious approach. Salgaocar playedwith 10 men in the final three minutes defender Fulganco Cardozo wasgiven marching order following his second booking of the match.
The first half saw the action concentrated chiefly in the midfield though Dempo earned two opportunities. The chances went a-begging asAbranches failed to find the target. Salgaocar’s lost a good change toestablish the lead in the 31st minute Fulganco Cardozo saw his attemptfollowing a corner cleared from the line by Dempo midfielder ClimaxLawrence.
Dempo came back strongly after the break but could not find the leadearly the Salgaocar goalkeeper Karanjit Singh saved the attempts PeterCarvalho (49th minute) and Sakibo (70th minute).
Abranches found the break in the 74th minute firing a nice side-volley on a cross from 53rd minute substitute Romeo Fernandes. Dempo found the insurance goal in the 85th minute when Sakibo collected a cross from Anthony Perreira, took a sharp turn to clear the Salgaocar defender Luciano Sabrosa and bulged the Salgaocar net with a powerful drive.
