Churchill survive, Mohammedan knocked out
SHILLONG: Substitute Beikhokhei Beingaichho scored in stoppage time to give Bengaluru FC a 2-1 victory over Sporting Clube de Goa on Monday and end their dream I-League season where they emerged champions on debut.
There was also good news for Churchill Brothers’ fans after the Goan club staved off relegation by defeating Salgaocar FC 2-1.
After Boima Karpeh (42nd minute) put Sporting into the lead, Bengaluru fought back in the second half and equalised through Robin Singh in the 59th minute before Beingaichho scored the winner in stoppage time to take the champions’ tally to 47 points from 24 matches.
They earned a cash prize of Rs 70 lakh besides the winners’ trophy.
Meanwhile, East Bengal, who beat United SC 3-0, finished second in the standings with 43 points and Rs 40 lakh for their efforts.
Salgaocar came in third place with 39 points and Rs 25 lakh in prize money.
Mohammedan bid farewell
It was sadness for Mohammedan Sporting, however, as they were relegated after Churchill leapfrogged them in the points table.
The Black Panthers ended on 24 points in 13th spot in a hard fought season that saw them finish at the bottom but by no means embarrassed.
In the past 12 months Mohammedan had won both the Durand Cup and IFA Shield – two prestigious Indian tournaments – and they even recorded more wins (six) in the I-League than safe teams such as Mumbai FC and United SC (both five).
They even conceded fewer goals (35) than Shillong Lajong (37), Churchill (37) and Rangdajied United (38).
However, it was the 12 losses, more than that of any other team, that cost them.
Lajong, Rangdajied drop one place each
Meanwhile, Lajong and Rangdajied dropped a place each in the standings despite not being in action on Monday.
The Reds moved down to sixth (still their best result in the League) after Dempo outclassed Pune FC 3-0 away.
Churchill’s victory saw debutants Rangdajied move down to 12th position, just out of the relegation zone.
An own goal from Augustine Fernandes had put Churchill ahead but Salgaocar hit back through Darryl Duffy.
Needing a win to save themselves, the 2012-13 champions got the result they were hunting for as Balwant Singh scored the winner in the 65th minute.
In Pune, veteran midfielder Shanmugham Venkatesh led the hosts after hinting at retirement.
However, Dempo were in no mood to give him a good send-off, with Haroon Amiri (20th, 26th) and Jeje Lalpekhlua (90th) scoring.
In the other fixture of the day, East Bengal scored three second half goals to secure the runners-up place.
A howler from United SC custodian Abhijit Das allowed Abhishek Das to open the scoring for East Bengal in the second period.
Late goals from Edeh Chidi and Semilen Doungel then made it a comfortable victory for Armando Colaco’s side. (with agency inputs)