Dempo Sports Club underlined their status as the top football club in India, claiming the maiden I-League title with a 4-1 rout of Viva Kerala at the Corporation stadium here on Saturday.

With fellow Goan outfit Churchill Brothers breathing down their necks, Dempo had to go for a win on the day to put other calculations out of the equation. Both the teams were level on 33 points going into the final round match, with Dempo ahead only on goal difference.

Churchill defeated Air India 3-0 in their last match in Margao to remain level with Dempo on 36 points. But Dempo’s superior goal difference of +22 as against Churchill's +18 lifted them to the top spot on the podium.
The final round game in Kozhikode was a mediocre affair with Viva unable to offer any worthwhile challenge.

Dempo did not have to do anything spectacular — once they settled down, they played with composure to get the goals through Edeh Chidi (27th and 45th minutes), Ranty Martins (29th) and Roberto Silva (80th).

It was an emotional moment for the Goans, who had wobbled quite a bit on the homestretch to leave the title race open to challenge. In the last few rounds, they also missed their coach Armando Colaco, who was sidelined due to injuries suffered in an accident.

Colaco back

Colaco was back on the bench on this day, ignoring medical advice, to see his boys triumph once again, having claimed the National Football League title two times.

"All credit to the boys," said Colaco. “It is a great team effort. Our first NFL title was special but people said we won only because Sporting Club lost their last game. Then we played beautifully to win our second NFL title last season, and now this win… This shows Dempo is steadily climbing the ladderOur goal now is to do well at the Asian level.”

Chidi, later named player of the match, opened the scoring for Dempo, dribbling up on the left, beating Viva goalkeeper Purushothaman and placing the ball in. Purushothaman then felled Nicholas Borges to concede a penalty which was blasted in by Martins.

Viva sparkled briefly and pulled one back through S Saleel who struck off a James Singh corner in the 34th minute. But poor defensive work cost the Kerala outfit as they failed to clear away a Sameer Naik throw-in, allowing Chidi to cash in close to half-time. Viva played a shade better in the second half, but Dempo's defence stood firm, and at the other end, Roberto Silva applied the finishing touches to their win, guiding in a corner headed down by Martins to make it 4-1.

Churchill second

Riding on a fine brace by Nigerian Odafe Okolie, Churchill Brothers humbled Air India, Mumbai 3-0 and had to be content with the runners up position, adds UNI from Margao. Dempo received by Rs 50 lakh, while Churchill Brothers pocketed Rs 28 lakh. Churhill’s Odafe Okolie, who is the highest goal-scorer with 22 goals, won the golden boot award and a cash prize of Rs 50,000.

For Churchill, the three goals came through Odafe Okolie in the 29th and 60th minute and D Raju in the 50th minute.

Other results:  At Mumbai: Mahindra United: 0 drew with Mohun Bagan: 0. At Barasat:  East Bengal: 1 (Syed Rahim Nabi, 57th) drew with  Sporting Clube de Goa : 1 (Joseph Pereira, 21st); At Ludhiana: JCT: 4 (Sunil Chhetri 31st, 43rd, Edurado Da Silva, 37th, Julius 46th) bt Salgaocar: 0