I-LEAGUE Media Team
New Delhi: The Airtel I-League title is there on the plate for Bengaluru FC to win. Come what may, a victory for the debutantes against Dempo SC on Monday would seal the title for them. Ashley Westwood’s side are currently on 41 points, and mathematically, three more points will hand them the coveted Trophy.
The Top 3 teams at the moment stay as follows:
Bengaluru FC: 41 points, with 2 games to go
Salgaocar FC: 38 points, with one game to go
East Bengal: 37 points, with two games to go
AFC Cup semifinalists (of last edition) East Bengal were very much in the title hunt but a loss against Churchill Brothers have dented their chances of pocketing the Trophy; though it needs to be mentioned that they are still in with a chance. But every time they take the field in their remaining two matches, they would have to keep a close eye on Bengaluru FC and pray they slip.
Raju Yumnam got the decider for Churchill against East Bengal in the first half to trigger heartbreak for the red and Golds.
Meanwhile, Salgaocar’s opportunity of clinching the pole position in the Airtel I-League also came to a halt as they couldn’t get past neighbours Sporting Clube de Goa in the Round 25 encounter of the competition on April 15.
Derrick Perreira’s side scored in the final goal of the game in the 89th minute of the game to record a 3-3 draw. Scottish striker Darryl Duffy scored the first goal of the match converting form the spot, and in the process, became the top-scorer of the Tournament, along with Indian National Team Captain Sunil Chhetri (13 goals).
In the other games of the week, there was a nine-game thriller between Kolkata outfit Mohammedan Sporting and Shillong Lajong FC.
The result stays a very significant one as Mohammedan Sporting are currently the rock-bottom side in the table as they are on 21 points with just one match to play.
They need to register a victory by any chance to stay in the competition next season.
The bottom three at present (bottom-top):
Mohammedan Sporting: 21 points, with one game to go
Churchill Brothers: 22 points, with 2 games to go
United SC: 23 points, with 2 games to go
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