Dempo blank AI 2-0, virtually crowned I-League Champions

Margao: Dempo were today virtually crowned as I-League champions after they scored a emphatic 2-0 win over

Air India in the 24th round match at Nehru stadium here today. In a match they dominated completely, Dempo scored through Joaquim Abranches (63rd) and Ranty Martins (67th). The win takes Dempo to 50 points from 24 matches, 12 points clear of second placed Mahindra United. The only team that can challenge Dempo now?is third placed Churchill Brothers (35 points in 21 matches), who now have an inferior goal difference of nine goals. To win the title, Churchill require to win all their remaining five matches with a better margin while Dempo lose both their matches, which looks unlikely. Meanwhile, the visitors, who remain on 25 points from 24 matches, now require to win both their remaining matches to save them from being relegated. Earlier, Air India adopted a cautious approach, packed more men in the defence and relied on counter moves to attack the rival goal. Coach Yusuf Ansari`s strategy worked in the first half as AI kept the scoresheet blank, frustrating Dempo who almost camped in their rival half but failed to breach the defence. Roberto Mendis Silva, who tried to breach the defence with long overhead balls, tried a long ranger which sailed inches over the bar. PTI