I-League champions Dempo's hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the AFC Cup suffered a set back after they drew 1-1 against Home United of Singapore in the first leg of the quarter-final in Hyderabad on Tuesday.
Home United drew first blood in the match played under lights at the Gachibowli Stadium.
Mohamad Rosman Bin Sulaiman's 30-yard strike in the 37th minute left the champion side of India pulverised.
Dempo tried hard to restore parity and it was the tall Mboyo Iwomi who finally levelled the score in the 78th minute.
Home United's Tengku Mushadad Bin Tengku Mohamad was shown the yellow card in the 23rd minute.
Dempo meet Home United in the return leg in Singapore on September 23.
A goalless draw there would be enough for the Singapore outfit to progress to the semi-finals on away goal rule.
