SHILLONG: Dempo SC clinched their fourth league title after edging past Shillong Lajong FC 1-0 in a round 25 match of the ONGC I-League played at the JN Sports Complex, Shillong here on Sunday.

A first half goal by Indian International and Dempo skipper Anthony Pereira did the trick for the Armando Colaco-coached side.
Dempo now have accumulated 53 points from 25 matches, while relegation threat is seriously looming large over Lajong as they have 26 points with just one round to go.
The match started on a low note as the ball was mostly seen in the mid-field and there were hardly any attempts made by either side. In the 15th minute, Climax Lawrence was replaced by Peter Carvalho after the former received ankle injury after he collided with his team mate Roberto Silva.
In the 37th minute unchecked Anthony Pereira received the deflected ball through a flag kick and carried the ball into the box and gently placed the ball into the net as hapless Gumpe Rime was left stranded.
Lajong gave a better account of themselves in the second half and kept rival custodian Abhijit Mondal at his toes but failed to convert the chances that fell in their kitty.
Lajong at least got half a dozen of flag kicks but Dempo defence stood tall and were solid at the back to cut off every Lajong attempts. Later Roberto Silva was declared the man of the match.