MARGAO: Dempo Sports Club were crowned the Indian football kings for the fourth time in five years and despite a tremendous fightback from Pune FC, the debutants failed to spoil Dempo’s coronation function at the Nehru stadium on Thursday.

In the end, the 1-1 final result was very fair as both the teams put a wonderful show, so befitting that the crowd gave a standing ovation for the marvellous performance as Dempo finished on 54 points from the 26 league matches.
Dempo took an early lead through a classic strike by winger Clifford Miranda but the warriors from Pune produced an equally top-notch goal through the boots of Izumi Arata to have the share of the honours with newly anointed champions.
It was natural for Dempo to be in a dazzling contour and Clifford Miranda gave the hosts and their army of fans a perfect start in the 6th minute. India international Climax Lawrence spotted a diagonal run of Clifford from the left flank to chip an inch perfect ball, which was controlled splendidly on the chest by the winger before firing a volley that struck the hands of Pune keeper Subrata Paul and landed into the nylons.
Dempo were without two of their most influential foreigners Beto and Ranty Martins but their absence was hardly felt with Climax, Peter Carvalho, skipper Anthony Pereira and Clifford pinning the opponents into their own territory. Pune would’ve been in deep trouble had not India no 1 goalkeeper Subrata Paul showed how gritty he can be when it comes to boldness by diving right at the feet of a marauding Clifford, who was about to pull the trigger in the 16th minute.
A minute later, stopper Anwar Ali let Anthony through on the right with a clever ball but the skipper chose to go for glory himself and ended shooting wide with Joaquim Abranches and Peter Carvalho waiting in anticipation of a lay off. Dempo despite their flamboyance have at times shown the tendency of self-destruction and it happened again as Edmar Figueira got some space on the right flank to receive a Jayseelan Prasad through pass to pull it back for the unmarked Dohou Pierre, but the Ivorian was more interested to play to the galleries and wasted an absolute sitter by miscuing his back flip to end up a sorry figure in the 17th minute.
However, a minute later the skilful African redeemed himself and showed his prowess by treading an amazing pass into the path of Izumi Arata, who made a neat placement beyond the reach of Dempo keeper Abhijit Mondal. It was a double blow for Dempo as defender Anwar Ali had to be stretched off following a collision with Figuera and was replaced by Covan Lawrence.
Barring that brief period, Dempo were in total control but Subrata Paul was simply unbeatable having made a double save of Clifford Miranda while Peter Carvalho saw his shot rebounding off the woodwork in the 26th minute. Pune FC, who were in pursuit of a win to assure themselves of the second place, rode their luck with Clifton Gonsalves’ close range tap finding the body of Subrata in the dying moments of the first half.
After resumption, Dempo saw more of the ball but some disciplined work in the Pune rearguard by Chika Wali and Caitano Costa meant Joaquim Abranches and Clifton were unable to break through. In an effort to get the lead, Pune coach Derrick Pereira sent his last trump card Jeje Lalpelhlua and the India U-23 striker almost produced the magical moment but his well struck right-footer missed the target by a whisker with eight minutes reaming for the final whistle.
Dempo’s goal scorer Clifford Miranda was adjudged the man-of-the-match. Dempo boss Mr Shrinivas Dempo, who was present for the match, joined his champions on the ground and celebrated winning the I-League championship with the players.