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I-League Weekend Preview: Round 20
Goal.com previews all the action from the world of Indian football for the ever enthusiastic fans…
21-Mar-2009 4:31:13 AM
Round 20 has some high profile games especially with the
title and the relegation battle hotting up with each set of matches. Notably in
this round, Dempo SC and Mohun Bagan return to action following their AFC Cup
commitments.
There is a lot to play for and herein we quickly run through
the fixtures…
JCT (11th, 18 points) – Sporting Clube De Goa (2nd, 39 points)
This is a clash between a team from the top against the one from bottom. Both are in desperate condition but the reasons are varied. While JCT hope to survive in the I-League and book their berth for the next season, Sporting are fighting to keep their title hopes alive by winning all their matches.
JCT do have an advantage over other bottom teams in terms having a game in hand but they need to make the most of it. A win shall surely put them out of danger for the time being. Sporting also need nothing less than a victory and shall look to get things on track after the 1-1 draw at home against East Bengal.
Mohammedan Sporting (10th, 19 points) – Mumbai FC (5th, 27 points)
The Kolkata side’s form at home has been spectacular but they have been defensively shaky and conceded some silly goals. Coming off from an away victory against Vasco SC shall boost their confidence of surviving but they need to get something out of this game. Shabbir Ali and his boys would have to come up with something special against Mumbai FC whose record in Kolkata isn’t bad.
Mumbai FC are yet to lose a game in the City of Joy as they have won two and drawn four in the six games played including the Federation Cup. Their battle for the fourth spot continues and are behind Mahindra United only on goal difference. Three points on Sunday shall put the onus on the Red Devils to come up with a victory away from home against the formidable Dempo.
Air India (9th, 20 points) – Vasco SC (12th, 10 points)
This is Air India’s best chance to ensure their safety as they take on bottom placed Vasco SC who have almost but given up hopes of survival. The Mumbai club have had a very poor second phase due to a number of injuries and suspensions coupled with poor form of key players. They are yet to grab their first three points of 2009. Anything less than a win shall put them in deep trouble as their final two games are against the top two of the I-League, which shall only make things difficult for them.
The change of coach hasn’t helped the fortunes of Vasco SC as they continue to reel and are almost but guaranteed to take a place in the second division. The People’s club shall surprise themselves if they do manage to eke out a point from this fixture and thus earn some respect.
Churchill Brothers SC (1st, 39 points) – East Bengal (6th, 24 points)
This is the match of the round as league leaders Churchill Brothers take on East Bengal. Churchill Brothers have been in thunderous form and have punished teams alike. All their last three victories have been morale boosting where they came back after going down early. Their title hopes rest in their own hands and they only need to ensure that they don’t drop any point in the coming matches.
A win against East Bengal would almost ensure that the I-League title is under their kitty. On current form, none would bet against them and given their awesome home record where they haven’t been beaten by any visiting side (those teams from outside Goa) for many years. This could be their year.
East Bengal are also involved in the battle for the fourth spot but to revive their spirits they need to get some positive results. Their victory against Mohun Bagan saw fans dream of a spectacular finish but their performance has been far from it. Having one of the best squads in the nation, they shall curse themselves for not getting the right results even after most of their injury worries have subsided.
Dempo SC (7th, 23 points) – Mahindra United (4th, 27 points)
The defending champions are on a high after their back-to-back wins in he AFC Cup which has seen them at the top of their group. Focussing their attentions back to the I-League and Armando Colaco shall hope that his side win the rest of the games. Lying seventh doesn’t justify their supremacy in Indian football though they have two games in hand. They have a poor record against Mahindra United and are one of the teams who always struggle against the Red Devils even in their best form.
The Jeepmen, as always, are peaking towards the end of the season. They have won their last three games which has for sure increased the confidence in the camp. Currently placed fourth, they shall hope to remain at the same spot until the end. It would be considered a huge recovery after being placed at the bottom of the table for most parts of the season.
Chirag United (8th, 21 points) – Mohun Bagan (3rd, 33 points)
Many consider Chirag United as almost safe but they need a few more valuable points just to keep away the relegation demons out. They do have a game in hand but shall look to finish off their business as soon as possible.
Many have written off Mohun Bagan’s chances in the league stating poor form but a win against Chirag United shall revive their hopes. The Green and Maroon need to win all their games and hope that Churchill Brothers do drop points. Having rested most of their players in the AFC Cup matches, the squad is fresh and there mustn’t be any complains of fatigue or having to play too many matches.
So what are you waiting for? Enjoy the action!
Rahul Bali.
JCT (11th, 18 points) – Sporting Clube De Goa (2nd, 39 points)
This is a clash between a team from the top against the one from bottom. Both are in desperate condition but the reasons are varied. While JCT hope to survive in the I-League and book their berth for the next season, Sporting are fighting to keep their title hopes alive by winning all their matches.
JCT do have an advantage over other bottom teams in terms having a game in hand but they need to make the most of it. A win shall surely put them out of danger for the time being. Sporting also need nothing less than a victory and shall look to get things on track after the 1-1 draw at home against East Bengal.
Mohammedan Sporting (10th, 19 points) – Mumbai FC (5th, 27 points)
The Kolkata side’s form at home has been spectacular but they have been defensively shaky and conceded some silly goals. Coming off from an away victory against Vasco SC shall boost their confidence of surviving but they need to get something out of this game. Shabbir Ali and his boys would have to come up with something special against Mumbai FC whose record in Kolkata isn’t bad.
Mumbai FC are yet to lose a game in the City of Joy as they have won two and drawn four in the six games played including the Federation Cup. Their battle for the fourth spot continues and are behind Mahindra United only on goal difference. Three points on Sunday shall put the onus on the Red Devils to come up with a victory away from home against the formidable Dempo.
Air India (9th, 20 points) – Vasco SC (12th, 10 points)
This is Air India’s best chance to ensure their safety as they take on bottom placed Vasco SC who have almost but given up hopes of survival. The Mumbai club have had a very poor second phase due to a number of injuries and suspensions coupled with poor form of key players. They are yet to grab their first three points of 2009. Anything less than a win shall put them in deep trouble as their final two games are against the top two of the I-League, which shall only make things difficult for them.
The change of coach hasn’t helped the fortunes of Vasco SC as they continue to reel and are almost but guaranteed to take a place in the second division. The People’s club shall surprise themselves if they do manage to eke out a point from this fixture and thus earn some respect.
Churchill Brothers SC (1st, 39 points) – East Bengal (6th, 24 points)
This is the match of the round as league leaders Churchill Brothers take on East Bengal. Churchill Brothers have been in thunderous form and have punished teams alike. All their last three victories have been morale boosting where they came back after going down early. Their title hopes rest in their own hands and they only need to ensure that they don’t drop any point in the coming matches.
A win against East Bengal would almost ensure that the I-League title is under their kitty. On current form, none would bet against them and given their awesome home record where they haven’t been beaten by any visiting side (those teams from outside Goa) for many years. This could be their year.
East Bengal are also involved in the battle for the fourth spot but to revive their spirits they need to get some positive results. Their victory against Mohun Bagan saw fans dream of a spectacular finish but their performance has been far from it. Having one of the best squads in the nation, they shall curse themselves for not getting the right results even after most of their injury worries have subsided.
Dempo SC (7th, 23 points) – Mahindra United (4th, 27 points)
The defending champions are on a high after their back-to-back wins in he AFC Cup which has seen them at the top of their group. Focussing their attentions back to the I-League and Armando Colaco shall hope that his side win the rest of the games. Lying seventh doesn’t justify their supremacy in Indian football though they have two games in hand. They have a poor record against Mahindra United and are one of the teams who always struggle against the Red Devils even in their best form.
The Jeepmen, as always, are peaking towards the end of the season. They have won their last three games which has for sure increased the confidence in the camp. Currently placed fourth, they shall hope to remain at the same spot until the end. It would be considered a huge recovery after being placed at the bottom of the table for most parts of the season.
Chirag United (8th, 21 points) – Mohun Bagan (3rd, 33 points)
Many consider Chirag United as almost safe but they need a few more valuable points just to keep away the relegation demons out. They do have a game in hand but shall look to finish off their business as soon as possible.
Many have written off Mohun Bagan’s chances in the league stating poor form but a win against Chirag United shall revive their hopes. The Green and Maroon need to win all their games and hope that Churchill Brothers do drop points. Having rested most of their players in the AFC Cup matches, the squad is fresh and there mustn’t be any complains of fatigue or having to play too many matches.
So what are you waiting for? Enjoy the action!
Rahul Bali.
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