Dempo are I-League champions

SHILLONG - Goa’s Dempo Sports Club Sunday emerged the I-League champions for the fourth time with a 1-0 win over relegation threatened Shillong’s Lajong Football Club here.

Skipper Anthony Pereira scored in the 37th minute to clinch the I-League title with one round still to go.

An elated Dempo coach Armando Colaco said: “We are almost champions and there is still one more match to go. The title is a great honour and a great privilege for us and we are proud of the boys who have given their best.”

The Goan outfit needed only a draw against Lajong to become champions in their 25th round match of the I-League.

With this win, Colaso’s side secured 53 points, much more than their nearest rivals Churchill Brothers and Mahindra United.

The match at the jam packed Jawaharlal Nehru Sports Complex started on a low note with none of the teams showing an urgency to break the deadlock and the contest was confined to the midfield.

Dempo received a set-back in the 15th minute when mid-fielder Climax Lawrence was replaced by Peter Calvalho after injuring his ankle during a collision with his Brazilian team mate Beto.

In the 37th minute, an unmarked Pereira stole the ball from a flag kick awarded to Lajong and raced into the box and gently placed it into the net as a hapless Gumpe Rime remained a mute spectator.

In the second half, Lajong came out with a better game plan and Dempo custodian Abhijit Mondal was alert, thwarting more than a dozen flag kicks.

Lajong came close to scoring in the 64th minute when substitute Anil Gurung headed the flag kick by Daniel Bidemi, but Mondal punched it out.

Brazilian playmaker Beto was declared the Man of the Match and was handed the award by Meghalaya Chief Minister Mukul Sangma.

Lajong have managed only 26 points with just one round to go. The Stanley Rosario coached team will play their last match against Salgaocar Sports Club and will be looking to avoid relegation.