Margao: First-timers Bengaluru FC wrote a new chapter in Indian football on Monday by clinching the I-League title in their debut season courtesy of a 4-2 away victory over Dempo SC here, with captain Sunil Chhetri fittingly netting the final goal.
Needing a win to snatch the title ahead of other established teams, Bengaluru led from start to finish.
They scored through Sean Rooney (second minute), Robin Singh (56th), Johny Menyongar (79th) and captain Sunil Chhetri (90+7).
Dempo reduced the margin through Roberto Silva (82nd) and substitute Romeo Fernandes (89th).
After Sean Rooney had given them a dream start in the second minute, there was no looking back.
Dempo threatened a brief fightback but that was not enough to thwart Bengaluru.
The win helped the southern club accumulate 44 points and take an unassailable lead with one round still to be played.
The likes of East Bengal and Salgaocar FC will play for second and third spots.
Bengaluru needed a win from any of their last two matches to emerge triumphant but in the end it was clear that they would not leave anything to chance.
Robin scored in the 56th minute to give his team a 2-0 lead. With 10 minutes left to be played, Bengaluru put the issue beyond doubt when Menyongar made it 3-0.
There was brief fightback from Dempo as Brazilian midfielder Silva pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute and Fernandes then scrambled home to make it 2-3.
But India and Bengaluru captain Chhetri scored the winners’ fourth goal.
Coach Ashley Westwood was suspended for the game and assistant coach Pradyum Reddy took charge in the dugout. But Westwood had done enough in pre-match preparations to help his team sail through.
I-League CEO Sunando Dhar said: “They (Bengaluru) may have been the new entrants but have led the way and paved the path for all to tread in the future. Congratulations!” he was quoted as saying. (PTI)