I-League: Dempo SC earn first points against Bengaluru

Bengaluru: Goa's Dempo SC earned their first ever point while playing against Bengaluru FC, following a goalless draw in the Hero I-League, which kicked off at Sree Kanteerava Stadium here Saturday.

For the fist time, Dempo drew with defending I-League Champions and earned their first point against them. Both teams - Bengaluru and Dempo - earned one point each and are placed third and fourth places on points table, respectively.

Bengaluru, who have never lost to the Goan club in the previous three matches, were jaded in the first half, looking tired following a hectic Indian Super League (ISL) and Federation Cup.

Even the Goan Club players looked tired but they enjoyed nearly 70 per cent of the ball possession and made six attempts at the goal in the first 36 minutes.

The problem with Bengaluru FC was that they failed to supply balls to their strikers Sean Rooney, Robin Singh and skipper Sunil Chhetri. Most of the attacks came through aerial routes which made the task of Dempo defenders easy to clear the balls from the danger zone.

However, Bengaluru had three good chances including a penalty, which Chhetri missed thanks to a weak shot which was easily put away by Dempo goalkeeper Laxmikant Kattimani, the star player of the day.

The second half was uninspiring as both sides could not break the defense of each other, though they got a few far of chances to score.

After a lacklustre first half, the match got some life in the last few minutes before the break. Rooney was brought down inside the penalty but the referee did not award a penalty in the hosts' favor in 29th minute.

Another chance came their way in the 42nd minute when Robin Singh gave an aerial cross to Rooney, whose shot hit was off the mark.

In next couple of minutes, Bengaluru earned their third chance to go ahead when an aerial cross from Lyngdoh went to Rooney but he was put down by Angus and the referee awarded a penalty to the hosts. Chettri however missed the chance.

Bengaluru will play their second game against Pune Football Club here on January 24.