Newcomers Bengaluru FC have won the 2013-14 I-League with a 4-2 win against Dempo SC on Monday.

Ashley Westwood’s side took an early lead when Sean Rooney slotted home a cross from Robin Singh just two minutes into the game. Robin himself increased the lead for the visitors in the 56th minute with a shot from the edge of the area. Johnny Menyongar sealed the win for BFC with a great run past the Dempo defenders and finishing off in style in the 79th minute.

Bengaluru had to wait for their final celebrations to kick-off as Roberto ‘Beto’ Mendes Silva and Romeo Fernandes hit back for Dempo to reduce the margin minutes before the final whistle. But BFC and India star skipper Sunil Chhetri put the final nail on Dempo’s coffin with an injury time goal [+ PICTURE GALLERY].

Bengaluru FC have 44 points to their tally, while second placed East Bengal have 40 points with just one game left this season.

Bengaluru have won their first I-League title in their very first season of existence and of course their first season in the top tier of Indian club football.

Please visit following page to click through pictures from the Dempo SC v Bengaluru FC match and the post-match celebrations:
www.chrispd.de/wordpress/2014/04/21/pictures-bengaluru-fc-crowned-2013-14-league-champions/

My congratulations to the Bengaluru FC players, officials and fans for their maidan I-League title!

Bengaluru FC Match Report

Bengaluru FC etched their names in the annals of Indian football history beating Dempo 4-2 to be crowned the kings of the I-League in their debut season at the Nehru Stadium, in Goa, on Monday evening.

Call it default or design but Bengaluru FC’s first salvo was fired by the man who started it all against Mohun Bagan in September – Sean Rooney. The Australian striker was at the end of a perfectly-slid in Robin Singh cross as Bengaluru shot to a lead in the second minute.

Dempo began the second half with a plan familiar to them – plenty of possession. But Bengaluru had other plans and this time it was Robin’s turn to flash the trademark salute when he scores. Picked out by Sunil Chhetri, Robin’s strike took a bit off ’keeper Laxmikant Kattimani before rolling in much to the away fans’ delight.

Bengaluru were tight at the back, refusing to give Dempo any space to threaten while the midfield were quick to latch on to any stray ball and press for a third. The third did come in the 79th minute when after exchanging passes with Chhetri, John Menyongar scored from a tight angle to make it 0-3. But just Bengaluru were preparing to celebrate, Dempo seemed like gatecrashing the party with two goals in seven minutes. First it was Beto who slotted a freekick home and then substitute Romeo Fernandes smashed home Dempo’s second in the 89th minute.

Bengaluru did have a nervy last few minutes but killed Dempo in their pursuit for an equaliser with a goal themselves. This time, it was Chhetri on the list with a calm finish that takes him to joint top scorer of the League this far with 14 goals.

Chhetri’s strike was the last kick of the game as the players celebrated wildly in front of the 500 Bengaluru FC fans that were backing the team throughout.