Churchill on brink of winning I-League

Churchill Brothers stood on the brink of winning their second I-League title after a clinical 2-0 victory over Mohun Bagan at the Kalyani Stadium in Kolkata on Sunday.

Gabonese recruit Henry Antchouet scored both the goals (19th, 35th) as the Goans' resolute defence denied the local giants any chance to come back in the second half.

The win took Churchill Brothers (51) eight points clear of the second-placed team and they now need a draw from their remaining two matches (Air India and Mohun Bagan) to win the title for the second time after their triumph in 2008-09.

East Bengal and Pune FC, both on 43 points, lie on second and third places on goal difference as they have three games each.

Churchill (31) have a healthy goal difference compared to East Bengal (21) and Pune FC (19) and a point would be enough for the Goans to seal the sixth I-League title.

Sporting Clube de Goa continue to shine under Spanish coach Oscar Bruzon. On Sunday, they comfortably defeated Bhaichung Bhutia co-owned United Sikkim Football Club 3-0 at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok and climbed to the sixth spot.

Courtesy the result, United Sikkim Football Club becomes the first club to be relegated in this I-League season.

Dawson Fernandes gave an early lead in the 10th minute with a thumping header and Pratesh Shirodkar doubled the lead in added time of first half. A deflected goal from substitute Seiya Sugishita in 91st minute made it a comfortable victory for the Goan side.