Recharged after a month's break, Dempo sorted out the deficiencies in their play and trounced Indian Bank 5-1 to notch their biggest win, in the 19th round of the PSU-National Football League at Nehru stadium in Margao, Goa, on Tuesday.
They scored through Clifford Miranda (15th minute), Bijen Singh (29th), Jose Coalco (50th, 90th) and Channa Bandanage Ediri (52nd).
Indian Bank failed to raise their game but managed to score once, through V K Harish, in the 18th minute.
With this victory, Dempo, with 26 points from 19 matches, moved to sixth place, while Indian Bank remained on tenth place with 20 points from as many matches.
Dempo settled to a good rhythm and got off to a bright start, surging ahead in the 15th minute after missing two scoring chances. Bijen Singh, from the right, laid a pass to Clifford Miranda, on the left, who essayed a left-footer that found the net.
Indian Bank, who had defeated Dempo in the first leg, made a counter-move and restored parity two minutes later. Basher Ahmed, from the centre, relayed the ball to Joseph, inside the box. The last-named squared the ball to Harish, who slotted in from close.
Dempo held sway over their rivals thereafter and regained the lead in the 29th minute when man-of-the-match Bijen Singh found the net off Channa's pass.
After the change of ends, Dempo continued to dictate terms and increased the margin through Jose Colaco, who after accepting a pass from substitute Johnny D'Cruz, dribbled past on-rushing 'keeper Sebastian Netto before putting the ball into the net.
Dempo could have won by a bigger margin had their strikers not wasted chances galore especially in the first-half. Channa was the worst offender, missing at least three clear chances. However, he made amends in the second half as he slotted home from close off Bijen Singh's pass.
Indian Bank failed to combine in the midfield. However, they came off with occasional foray and came close to scoring twice but substitute Stanley Fetus's header missed the goal narrowly and later Bobby Hamilton's shot went straight to 'keeper Francis Fernandes.
Dempo hit the last nail in the Indian Bank coffin as Jose Colaco scored his second goal after substitute Marcus's attempt at the goal deflected from the keeper's body and came to him, off a pass from Bijen Singh.
