Dempo beat Lajong FC 1-0, win I-League title

The wait is finally over for Dempo.

The I-League trophy will remain in Goa for yet another season, this time with Dempo, who finally clinched their record fourth crown with a slender 1-0 victory over Lajong FC in Shillong in a penultimate round match on Sunday.

A first-half goal from skipper Anthony Pereira turned out to be the winner as Dempo became only the third team to win in Shillong against Lajong.

Dempo now have accumulated 53 points from 25 matches, and are 15 points clear of second-placed Mahindra United who have a game in hand. Churchill Brothers, placed third, — level on points with Mahindra but behind on goal difference — still have four matches but have no chance of going ahead of their Goan rivals.

With the title already decided, the focus now shifts to the relegation battle, which seems to be getting hotter by the day. Mumbai side Air India took a huge step forward to secure their spot after a morale-boosting 3-1 win over Chirag United at the Cooperage here on Sunday.

Skipper Vijith Shetty scored two scorchers from identical positions to push his side away from the relegation zone.

Air India were in a must-win situation going into this match, and it was always going to be difficult for them to get the better of Chirag United.

But Shetty ensured that his team doesn’t falter and opened the scoring in the 18th minute, when shot one from around 20 yards out to beat Chirag custodian Sandip Nandy.

The lead, however, was short-lived as Edmilson Marques restored parity for the visitors seven minutes later through a controversial penalty.

Just when it looked like both teams would enter the half time level, Shetty curled in a wonderful right-footer to find the top-right corner of the nettings.

ND Opara sealed the deal for Air India in the 54th minute, with a clinical finish off a move started by Yusif Ibrahim.

The win helps Air India move up by three places to 10th, but still are not in the safety zone. Lajong (26 points), though, are under serious relegation threat as they are placed 13th with just one round to go.

In another match, JCT were held to a 1-1 draw by East Bengal.

Mahindra take on Salgaocar
Mahindra United will hope to shrug off their recent indifferent form and produce a much improved display when they lock horns with Salgaocar in their penultimate clash of the I-League to be played at the Cooperage ground on Monday.

With Dempo already champions, and the team itself being disbanded, Mahindra will hope to end their last season in domestic football on a high.