New Delhi: Pune FC were thwarted in their bid to take top spot on the I-League points table as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Dempo SC at the Duler Stadium, Goa on Wednesday .
Pune, who dropped a spot, are currently third on the table behind leaders Salgaocar FC and Bengaluru FC. All three clubs are on 18 points but Pune have a match in hand. Roberto Silva Mendes (47th minute) put Dempo in the lead but Mustapha Riga (50th) hit back for Pune just three minutes later.
Pune were the better team in the opening session, dominating ball possession with mid-fielders Douhou Peirre and Izumi Arata creating a few nice moves. But the Dempo defence stood firm to deny them.
Roberto, who was the heart of most Dempo moves, missed out on a golden opportunity in the first half. But the Brazilian made amends immediately after the change of ends when he pounced on a loose ball after the Pune rival defence failed to clear their lines.
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