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Dempo refuse to release Joaquim Abranches

Dempo Sports club has refused to release striker Joaquim Abranches after they were requested by the AIFF to release him for the national camp held in Dubai less than 20 days prior to the Asian Cup 2011.

Panaji: Dempo Sports club has refused to release striker Joaquim Abranches after they were requested by the AIFF to release him for the national camp held in Dubai less than 20 days prior to the Asian Cup 2011.
With Anthony Pereira and Arvindam Bhatttacharya being ruled out of the mega tournament, coach Bob Houghton found himself in a selection quandary and thereby sent an SOS to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) for their replacement.However, Dempo manager Custodio Almedia said, "Joaquim Abranches has not yet featured for Dempo SC in the I-League matches, it would have been foolish on our part to release the striker for the camp having not regained his fitness." PTI