Dempo Sports Club sealed a comeback to the elite I-League after scoring a convincing 3-1 win over Minerva Academy FC to top the Second Division I-League at the Nehru Stadium, in Margao, on Sunday.
Dempo, who were relegated to the second division last year, scored through Milagres Gonsalves (8th, 31st) and Felix Odili Chidi (12th) to end at the top of the points table. Only the winning team of second division I-League gets automatic promotion to the I-League first division.
Minerva Academy put up an improved performance in the second half and reduced the margin through Amandeep Singh in the 85th minute.
Former I-League champions Dempo collected 23 points from 10 matches while Minerva Academy FC, who needed a win to make it to the elite I-League, finished second with 18 points from 10 matches.
Dempo, who just needed a draw to be promoted to the I-League, did not want to take any chances. They attacked from the start with their midfielders and strikers combining well to keep their rival defenders on their toes.
"I am more delighted for this team coming back in the elite I-League after getting relegated last year. We have won the tittle five time after we first got relegated in 1999-2000 and it's a proud moment for us, especially at a time when our club has completed 50 years," Dempo's patron Srinivas Dempo said.
