Kuala Lumpur: Ranged against Qatari giants Al Sadd in the play-offs for a berth in the AFC Champions League, po SC received a timely boost Saturday when they packed off Churchill Brothers 2-0 in Indian League action.
On target for the defending Indian champions were Joaquim Abranches, who opened the scoring in the 12th minute, and reliable Nigerian hitman Ranty Martins Soleye. Dempo SC clash with Al Sadd on Saturday, 19 February, with the winners claiming their spot in the AFC Champions League alongside Al Nassr (Saudi Arabia), Esteghlal (Iran) and Pakhtakor (Uzbekistan), while the losers join Al Qadsia (Kuwait), Al Saqr (Yemen) and Shurtan (Uzbekistan) in the AFC Cup. East Bengal, who will play in the AFC Cup in Group H with South China (Hong Kong), Chonburi FC (Thailand) and Persipura Jayapura (Indonesia), suffered a shock 1-0 defeat at the hands of bottom-ranked ONGC. The only goal of the game came from B Babathunde five minutes into the second half and ensured East Bengal’s first loss this season after going undefeated for 13 matches. They continue to lead the 14-team standings with 31 points while Dempo SC are fourth on 25 points