Salgaocar are I-League champions
May 30th, 2011 - 9:37 pm ICT by IANSLudhiana, May 30 (IANS) Goan club Salgocar lifted their second national football league title after they defeated JCT 2-0 in their 26th round match of the I-League here Monday.
Midfielder Francis Fernandes opened the scoring in the 13th minute and Yusif Yakubu doubled the lead in the 85th minute to spark scenes of jubilations at the Guru Nanak Stadium here.
“We are officially the champions. I knew we had almost won it. But with this victory, the championship is officially ours,” said Salgaocar coach Karim Bencherifa.
Bencherifa dedicated the success to excellent team work.
“I need to salute my players; I need to salute the support staff; I need to salute the management for their support. The team-spirit has been excellent,” he added.
“There has beeen so much healthy competition among the boys. Everyone had mutual respect for the other. And it helped the team.”
No one spared a thought for JCT, who now stare at relegation (24 from 26 matches) - blame it on the cruelty of the game. It’s all about the champions.
Since being re-christened the I-League, Goan clubs have won all the four I-League titles. Dempo have won twice and Churchill Brothers once. Salgaocar had earlier won the 3rd National Football League in 1998-99.
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- Salgoacar's Bencherifa is I-League's best coach - Oct 18, 2011
- Holders Salgaocar eye win against relegated Chirag United - Apr 28, 2012
- I-League win with Salgaocar was sweetest, says Bencherifa - Jun 01, 2011
- Salgaocar scrape past Prayag United - Feb 06, 2012
- United Sports Club gets new sponsor - Aug 04, 2011
- Prayag United face Salgaocar in I-League - Feb 05, 2012
- Depleted Salgaocar face Mohun Bagan challenge - Apr 13, 2012
- After Mahindra, now JCT disbands football club - Jun 20, 2011
- Durand Cup: Garhwal Heroes shock Sporting; Salgaocar beat Air India - Oct 28, 2010
- Pailan challenge for Salgaocar - Feb 01, 2012
- Salgaocar thrash Churchill Brothers 3-0 in I-League - Jan 22, 2012
- Dhyan Chand Award for former Indian football captain Shabbir Ali - Jul 26, 2011
- Indian football fraternity shocked at JCT's decision - Jun 20, 2011
- I-League: All roads lead to the Goan Derby - Jan 28, 2012
Tags: churchill brothers, coach, fernandes, game, goan, guru nanak, jubilations, karim, league champions, league titles, match, midfielder, mutual respect, national football league, relegation, support staff, team spirit, victory, yakubu