Salgaocar's victory has rendered the remaining matches of the tournament only a formality as they have garnered an unassailable lead over their nearest challengers East Bengal. For the men from Goa, the championship-winner was scored by striker Sabir Ali Mondal in the 82nd minute.

Salgaocar's win dashed all the hopes Calcutta giants East Bengal harboured of winning the championship. While Mohun Bagan had won the last year's championship, the first league trophy in 1997 was lifted by JCT, Phagwara.With this win the Salgaocar team became richer by Rs 45 lakh.

``It was our collective effort that got us the National League title and not just an individual performance,'' Salgaocar coach Shabbir Ali said after his team won the title here today. ``I have to praise everyone, mostly Francis Coelho whose mother dieda day before the East Bengal match here in Calcutta.'' Coelho went to Goa to attend his mother's funeral and was back to face East Bengal.

The coach said in the beginning of the League, the side was playing well but were not getting goals. They transformed their game in the first leg of the second phase at Goa. ``It is often said that Salgaocar do not play well outside home, but my boys have proved that wrong.''

Salgaocar's veteran Bruno Coutinho felt this was the best title ever for Salgaocar. ``The National League is the toughest tournament and we are glad we could win.'' Captain Roberto Fernandes too felt this was a big win and came at a very good time for Salgaocar. Coutinho said the turning point came when FC Kochin held East Bengal to a draw. That day, Salgaocar had beaten Churchill to move ahead. That was the day when Coutinho believed that the title could be theirs.

CHURCHILL SCORE: Churchill Brothers finally found their bearings with a 3-0 win over FC Kochin at the Rabindra Sarobartoday.

Mario Soares and Philip Mensah scored for Churchill before half-time while a same-side goal by KV Dhanesh, trying to clear a Somatai Saiza shot, gave Churchill a 3-0 win a minute before the long whistle.