Dempo hold Mahindras United

MARGAO, May 21: National league champions Mahindras United concluded their league engagements with a goalless draw against Dempo as the curtain came down on the 10th ONGC National Football League, played here on Saunday.
Dempo's Stanley Colaco, who hung his boots at the end of this league, was given warm send-off by his team after the end of the match.
Dempo's Joaquim Abrances was nominated the man-of-the-match.
With the NFL coming to an end, Mahindras who had clinched the title for the first time, finished their league engagements with 36 points from 17 matches to take the cash award of Rs 40 lakh.
East Bengal who finished second with 31 points became richer by Rs 22 lakh.
Dempo finished their league engagements with 25 points from 17 matches.
Dempo's Ranty Martins, who scored 14 goals, got the golden boot award with a cash prize of Rs 50,000.
The Super Cup match between Mahidnras United and East Bengal will be played at Cooperage ground, Mumbai on May 27.
Both the teams matched evenly in the barren first half, Dempo, who forced the pace, created couple of scoring chances with Joaquim Abranches header collected by keeper Sandip Nandy and Johnny D'cruz shot missing the target narrowly.
Mahindras got the opportunity once in the first half when K Anees's shot was saved by keeper Satish Kumar.
The change of ends saw Dempo holding the edge over their rival and came close to scoring twice but Sandip Nandy rose to the occasion to put out ball off Roberto Silva shot. Earlier, Dempo's keeper Satish Kumar made a good save as he charged out to block Steven Dias shot.
Referee P K Bose showed yellow cards to Mahindras United's Rauf Khan, Yusif Yakubu and Dempo's Samir Naik.
Mahindras United chairman Allen Durante was delighted with his team's performance this season winning Federation Cup and NFL title.
"The boys have really worked hard and credit goes to them who clinched the NFL title with three matches in hand. Right now our aim is to win the Super Cup which will be played in Mumbai. We have not been able to make to the quarter-finals of the AFC cup this time, but hopefully we will try to make it next year", said Durante.