Roberto Silva's brace of goals helped Churchill Brothers beat hosts Shillong Lajong 2-0 in a 15th round I-League encounter at the J N Sports Complex, in Shillong, on Wednesday.
Click here for Rediff Realtime News!
Playing before a packed stadium, Lajong fans returned disappointed as their favorite team failed badly.
Churchill, who played an exceptional game throughout, netted their first goal in the 34th minute from a spot-kick, when Lajong skipper Zenith Mashangva, handled the ball inside the box, and Silva, the visitors' captain, no mistake from the 'spot'.
The Goan side's custodian Felix D' Souza faced his real test of the first-half a minute from the breather and did well to save Eugenson Lyngdoh's shot from a corner.
Changing ends, though Lajong did create a few chances, their strikers weren't up to the mark.
In the 78th minute Silva, who was later adjudged man of the match, completed his brace.
With this win, Churchill have 29 points from 14 matches, while Lajong stay on 17 from 15 outings.
When the teams met in the 10th round encounter earlier, Churchill won 6-0.
Dempo thrash Air India
Dempo SC regained its position atop the I-League table after comfortably beating a 10-man Air India 3-1 at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.
Ranti Martins was in the thick of action, scoring twice, in 56th and 88th minute, after missing a penalty early in the match, while fellow-striker Koko Sakibo, who was named man of the match later, scored in 77thminute, as the Goa side showed that the loss at home in December was just an aberration.
For Air India, Sandeep Sangha reduced the deficit in injury time.
While Dempo have 33 points from 15 matches, Air India have 20 from as many outings.
Salgaocar trounce HAL
Salgaocar Sports Club coasted to an expectedly comfortable 4-0 victory over bottom-placed HAL at the Nehru Stadium, in Fatorda, Goa.
Salgaocar have 16 points from their last six matches, taking their points tally to 25, while HAL, with just three, will find it increasingly difficult to save themselves from relegation.
Francis Fernandes, Ryuji Sueoka, Gilbert Oliveira and Randeep Singh got the goals for the defending champions, who led 1-0 at the breather.
Salgaocar seemed eager to open their account with a flurry of attacks at the start. They surged ahead in the 12th minute when HAL goalkeeper P Pramod allowed man of the match Francis Fernandes all the time in the world to head home Tomba Singh's measured cross.
Salgaocar's second goal was another defensive lapse, this time Nicolau Colaco's cross was headed into the nets by Ryuji Sueoka.
The hosts' third goal was a gem, in the 71st minute. An overhead ball from Rocus Lamare was controlled by Gilbert Oliveira. The midfielder then drew out the goalkeeper and finished off with a nice placement.
Randeep Singh then scored with his first touch; the midfielder's powerful shot from just inside the box -- after being fed on the platter by Gilbert -- rocked the crossbar and sailed into the net.
The Bangalore side did not have even a single attempt on goal.
Pune FC blank Mumbai FC
Pune FC's potential in playing class football was on show in the Maha-Derby against Mumbai FC in the Round XV match of the I-League at the Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune.
Inspired by the triumvirate of Subhash Singh, Arata Izumi and Jeje Lalpekhlua, Pune FC defeated Mumbai FC 3-0 in an entertainingly fast-paced match that unfortunately turned into a fist-fight when Mumbai FC realised that they were being trampled upon by the home side.
Subhash Singh scored a brace -- his goals coming in the 20th and 67th minutes, while Gurjinder Kumar netted home the third goal in the 89th minute of the match. With this win, Pune FC regained its No 5 position with 26 points while Mumbai FC stay on 14 points from 15 matches.
