Churchill Brothers win I-League title after 1-1 draw with MB

The 'Goan Supremacy' in Indian football continued as Churchill Brothers today comfortably won their second I-League football title with a match to spare by playing out a 1-1 draw with Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan.
With 52 points from 25 games, the 'Red Devils' of Indian football have ensured that they will walk home with a cool prize money Rs 7 million.
The power equation in Indian football has now decisively shifted to Goa from Kolkata which was once considered the 'Mecca' of Indian football.
With Churchill's triumph, in the last five editions of the national league, Churchill and Dempo have won twice while Salgaocar have had their hands on the silverware once.

The win also provided a second lease of life for veteran coach Subhash Bhowmick, who has now got the rare distinction of winning the I-League while being at the helm of two different sides.
Bhowmick has earlier won the two National League titles with East Bengal back in 2002-03, 03-04. The controversial coach has gone through a rough time in his career during end part of the last decade and his career today got a second wind.

Churchill, who needed a draw to overcome Pune FC challenge for the title given their better head-to-head record, got a rude shock when C S Sabeeth of Bagan scored from a solo effort in the 26th minute.

But India captain Sunil Chhetri restored parity in the second half to ensure that the supporters who gathered at the Tilak Maidan were able to start celebrations.
Bagan who made Churchill Brothers to work had to earn a point now have 26 points from 25 matches and have done really well to save releagtions after being docked all points due to crowd trouble during a December derby.
Churchill Brothers, who last won in 2008-09, pressed hard for an early goal but were frustrated by the visitors who also looked enterprising in their attack.