Dempo: In a league of their own

PANAJI: It’s been 15 years since Armando Colaco first won the National Football League (NFL) title for Dempo Sports Club.
It happened in the summer of 2005 and the former head coach can still sense the relief when Dempo clinched the NFL title, quite dramatically, on the final day at the Tilak Maidan in Vasco.
Not far away at Fatorda, all eyes were on favourites Sporting Clube de Goa. They needed only a win, but their fairy tale run came crashing down after a surprise 1-3 defeat against Syed Nayeemuddin’s Mahindra United.
Until a match ago, East Bengal were also in the fray for a hat-trick of titles, but it were Dempo who had the last laugh after they put it across Tollygunge Agragami 2-0. The win, and title, started an unforgettable era for the club where they won five national titles in just eight years.
“We got the first national title when Cristiano Junior died. We were happy and sad too. He gave his life for us during the 2004 Federation Cup (final),” said Colaco, now the technical director at Sesa Football Academy.
The former India coach had just roped in the previous season’s highest goal scorer from East Bengal and his death on the field after a clash with the rival goalkeeper was the darkest hour in Indian football.
Dempo went on to win the title against giants Mohun Bagan but Junior’s absence left a void. The tragedy brought the team together. There was a stronger bond, and players stuck together like glue.
Dempo’s success in 2005 was not one-off. In 2007, they won their second NFL title and a year later became the first Indian club to reach the semifinals of the AFC Cup.
By the time the country’s top league was rechristened as I-League in 2007-08, Dempo were well established and won the inaugural edition too. The last two titles came in 2010 and 2012.
It’s a record that has stood the test of time. Only Mohun Bagan have managed to equal the record, thanks to their I-League triumph this season.
“We always believed in unity and never changed any player, may be just two or three so the core was always there. The coaching staff also supported me, and they were the ones who always encouraged me not to change too many players,” said Colaco.
Colaco is all praise for club president and owner Shrinivas Dempo who provided unconditional support. The players stuck to the Dempo ‘family’ and even clubs with plenty of funds found it difficult to lure star players.
However, Colaco feels that complacency often crept into the squad which possibly denied them more titles.
“If they had won few points more in some games, we would have won more titles. I used to get frightened of only Dempo defeating Dempo. There was complacency in the team sometimes, and I regret that,” said Colaco.
During this period, Dempo were served well by players like Samir Naik, Climax Lawrence, Mahesh Gawli, Anthony Pereira, Clifford Miranda, Nicolau Borges, Joaquim Abranches and Valeriano Rebello. Then there was was Brazilian Beto – a striker who Colaco turned into a midfielder – while Nigerian forward Ranti Martins shone upfront.
“The main reason for our consistency is the players and coach, who kept us together. We were like a family working together. All were caring, if anyone fell sick. Many times, when we were down by a goal, we showed fighting spirit that made us strong,” said Samir Naik, currently the coach and a player who won five National titles for the club.
Dempo have been out of the ‘national’ sight since 2015 when they were relegated. They won the second division the next year but pulled out in protest against the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) roadmap, alongside Salgaocar FC and Sporting Clube.
Since then, Dempo have invested heavily in the residential academy at Ella, Old Goa. They have yielded success at junior level and been a dominant force in state leagues.
Dempo have not ruled out playing in the I-League again and hinted a comeback with raw talent that can achieve promotion.
“Dempo are always contenders. If we take part again, we will be contenders for sure. We should play soon as our club has rich history, infrastructure and facilities. It is now for the management to decide. The AIFF must also come with a proper plan to help us and other Goan clubs,” said Naik.
Until Dempo return, it is their glorious past record that will be remembered. No club, after all, has won five titles in just eight years.

: 2005, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2012
2004
2008, 2011
2006
2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2012
Semifinals in 2008
2008-09 and 2010-11