Five memorable I-League goal fests at Kolkata’s Salt Lake Stadium

United SC 2-4 Dempo (April 3 2011)

The star pairing of Ranti Martins and Beto made the difference in this game

United SC played their third goal-fest of the season two months later against title-chasing Dempo. Armando Colaco’s side were the defending champions but had made a slow start to their title defence. However they came into this game in red-hot form having won six straight I-League fixtures. By contrast, United SC had managed just one win in six games. Dempo raced into an early lead thanks to a goalkeeping error from Somnath Khara who allowed a cross from Ranti Martins to go into the back of the net. Brazilian Beto made it 2-0 at the half-hour mark after converting a penalty. Dempo dropped their tempo towards the end of the half and United SC got back into the contest as Sankar Oraon made it 2-1. But Dempo raised their game again and restored the two-goal advantage through Peter Carvalho just before the interval. Dempo dominated the second half as well but failed to increase their lead and against the run of play the purple shirts pulled one back through India’s Sunil Chhetri, who converted a penalty. At 3-2, United suddenly had a bit of momentum but Ranti ensured a safe final ten minutes for Dempo by netting the fourth.