Dempo defy odds, win NFL

Dempo, who also achieved the rare distinction of winning the Federation Cup and the NFL title in the same season, ended with 47 points while Sporting and East Bengal ended with 45 and 43, respectively.

Sporting8217;s dream of winning the title was shattered at the Nehru Stadium in Margao when they lost 3-1 to Mahindras in an exciting match.

Mahindras scored through a brace by Flavio de Rodrigues 40th, 86th and substitute K Koluthungan 81st, while Sporting reduced the margin through Wilton Gomes 42nd.

In Siliguri, defending champions East Bengal8217;s title aspirations went up in smoke as they were downed 3-1 by Vasco. Anthony Pereira struck twice while Fabio Sohres netted the other goal for Vasco, for whom the surprise win came a little too late, as they have already been demoted to second division.

Sandip Das was the lone scorer for East Bengal, who were nowhere near their best before 20,000 supporters at the Kanchenjunga Stadium.

With a host of footballers including Bhaichung Bhutia and Alvito de Cunha indisposed, East Bengal were rudderlees as Vasco controlled the proceedings from the beginning and trailed 0-1 at the breather.