Dempo began their campaign in the inaugural ONGC [Get Quote] I-league with a bang, beating Salgaocar 3-0 in the opening match at the Nehru stadium in Goa [Images] on Saturday.

Playing with three strikers, Dempo went on offensive from the start and had the match under control as Ranti Martins and Edeh Chidi gave the rival defenders a harrowing time.

They opened their account early when Salgaocar defender Nicholau Colaco delayed in clearing the ball, which Martins intercepted and sent across for Chidi, who tapped home from close.

Chidi then had a clear chance to increase the lead but his header from close went out.

After mounting pressure on the Salgaocar defenders, Dempo scored again in the 24th minute. A miss pass by Nicholas Rodrigues just outside the box saw the ball go to Dempo's Nicholas Borges, who quickly released it to well-placed Chidi, whose firm right-footer found the net.

Salgaocar, who failed to play as a unit with their midfield not clicking, came close to scoring in the later part of the first half but missed narrowly.

Dempo continued to hold sway after the interval with Martins and Chidi breathing down the rivals' neck and increased the tally in the 68th minute.

A move from the right saw Anthony Pereira release the ball to Martins, who made no mistake.

Earlier, Chidi had a golden chance to complete a hat-trick but failed to score from close.

Dempo's defender Mahesh Gawli was adjudged man-of-the-match.

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