National team captain Bhaichung Bhutia's team, United Sikkim missed out on a berth in the top division as they lost 1-2 to Vasco Sports Club in another last round league match of the second division I-League today.
Sporting Clube finished second in the league table with 14 points from seven matches behind leaders Shillong Lajong FC (16 points), who had qualified for the I-League top division yesterday.
Vasco finished third in the eight-team final round with 13 points while Arhima Club and United Sikkim were fourth and fifth with 11 and 10 points respectively.
Sporting Clube needed a win from today's match against the local side. Samananda Singh headed home Sporting's first goal in the fourth minute only for Eldon Maquemba to double the lead from the spot in the 15th minute.
In the other match of the day, Vasco were 2-0 up against Sikkim United by the seventh minute with goals through Joy Ferrao who headed in a corner in the second minute and Koko Sakibu.
John D Menyongar pulled one back for United Sikkim, scoring from the spot in the 28th minute. Incidentally, Sporting Clube de Goa and Shillong Lajong were the two sides relegated from the I-League last year.
Deccan Herald is on WhatsApp Channels| Join now for Breaking News & Editor's Picks