Shillong, May 26: Shillong Lajong finished as the runners-up of the All India Football Federation’s Second Division League after Delhi FC beat Ambernath United on the final day today to claim top spot and the title of champions.
Lajong had taken provisional first place and secured promotion to next season’s I-League by beating FC Bengaluru United 2-1 at home on Sunday but they knew that, no matter the result in today’s meeting between Delhi and Ambernath, they would drop to second place.
Delhi and Lajong finished level on 7 points but the former were claimed the top spot on goal difference as the two sides had played a goalless draw in their only meeting of the final round.
Today Delhi defeated Ambernath 3-1 at home to jump from third to first place. That left Ambernath having to settle for third place, thereby missing out on an I-League slot.
Ambernath, who had performed well in their debut Second Division campaign and were even leading the table after the third match of the final round, had only required a draw to take top spot but failed to get past Delhi.
The other match today was a dead rubber between hosts FC Bengaluru United and United SC; the former ran out 1-0 winners. Irfan Yadwad scored the only goal, thus taking his season’s tally to 13 goals to finish as the league’s top scorer.
(All India Football Federation photo)
