Dempo go down 0-3, fail to qualify for AFC Champions League

Dempo's dream of qualifying for the AFC Champions League went up in smoke after the Goan side went down 0-3 to Al Sharjah in the one-off qualifier at the Sharjah Stadium on Wednesday.

Two goals in the first half and another one in the second dashed Dempo's hopes of becoming the first Indian club to qualify for the prestigious AFC Champions League.

Dempo, missing Mboyo Iwomi, Joaquim Abranches and Dominic Noronha, conceded a goal in the 12th minute when Al Sharjah's Brazilian striker Anderson found the net.

Another Brazilian import, striker Jean Carlos doubled the lead in the 34th minute and the defending I-League champions went to the break staring down the barrel.

The visitors' hope of staging a comeback was completely destroyed in the 55th minute when Salem Saif of UAE scored the third goal for Al Sharjah.

Al Sharjah now move on to the group league stage of the AFC Champions League along with Singapore Armed Forces, who defeated Indonesian club PSMS Medan 2-1 in another qualifier.

Dempo will have to be content battling for the AFC Cup.