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Comment: Who Shall Crash And Burn…
With the I-League entering its final phase, Goal.com ponders as to who would follow the footsteps of Vasco SC into the second division next season…
30-Mar-2009 8:22:26 AM
This season’s I-League has been one of the best by far. Not
only has the title race been interesting but the battle for survival below is
even more worthy of a note.
As many as five teams are in contention to finish 11th in the table and it has some big names like East Bengal and JCT. Let’s look at each of these five clubs and their chances to make it into the division two.
Chirag United are placed 11th and have two games to go with 22 points in their bag. After Vasco SC, they have the worst goal difference. Looking at their squad and performance on the pitch; one doesn’t feel that they are relegation material. They have done well and were the better side against Dempo SC on Saturday where the match ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
One does have the feeling that they wouldn’t go down considering they have some relatively easy games as compared to other teams. At Cooperage, Chirag famously came back to beat Mahindra United and were beaten by Air India by a narrow margin of 1-0.
They face Mumbai FC against whom they have been the better side on the two occasions the sides have squared against each other this season. In the home games against the Mumbai club, they missed a host of chances after taking the lead but a Riston Rodrigues piledriver restored parity against the run of play for the visitors. In the Federation Cup, their group game ended in a 0-0 draw.
They also have the honours of facing Vasco SC on the final day which should translate into three points.
Mohammedan Sporting is the second side from Kolkata who can possibly find themselves from where they emerged at the start of the season. They have the third worst goal difference but going by their inspired display in the recent games, many are of the opinion that Mohammedan would be able to pull off a coup. On paper, they have the toughest games as they face Dempo SC and strong title contenders Churchill Brothers away from home.
Both the Goan sides have a very solid home record and to beat them in their own backyard would mean something special from Mike Okoro and company. Their chances are dimmest to stay in the league next season and only a miracle can save them. The Mohammedan – Churchill Brothers game could be the decider for the title and relegation this season.
Over to JCT and the Punjab side have come on their own in the last two matches. They dominated Mohun Bagan and got the better of Sporting Clube De Goa. They have a very good record against the big teams. To face East Bengal away from home is a tricky encounter but having Mumbai FC at home on the last day is an advantage they enjoy. Neither of the teams have been in good touch and it does appear that JCT would survive the disgrace of falling down.
Air India’s heroics at the death against Churchill Brothers ensured that the title race got even murkier. With 23 points and having to play a disgruntled Sporting Clube De Goa in their last match, one could back them to come good. Their home game could be shifted to a neutral venue due to elections and that could play a key role in their result.
East Bengal cannot exactly be said to be in danger but it’s possible mathematically and going by their bad form, one has to take them into consideration. They take on JCT at home in what could be a very vital game for both sides. The Red and Gold’s host Dempo SC in round 22. If they lose both their games and Mohammedan Sporting, Air India, Chirag United and JCT manage to cross the 24 point mark, the Kolkata giants could end up being relegated.
The war against death is on and who shall be the second to crumble? We have mentioned ‘Second’ as Vasco SC have already booked their berth in second division.
Rahul Bali.
As many as five teams are in contention to finish 11th in the table and it has some big names like East Bengal and JCT. Let’s look at each of these five clubs and their chances to make it into the division two.
Chirag United are placed 11th and have two games to go with 22 points in their bag. After Vasco SC, they have the worst goal difference. Looking at their squad and performance on the pitch; one doesn’t feel that they are relegation material. They have done well and were the better side against Dempo SC on Saturday where the match ended in a 0-0 stalemate.
One does have the feeling that they wouldn’t go down considering they have some relatively easy games as compared to other teams. At Cooperage, Chirag famously came back to beat Mahindra United and were beaten by Air India by a narrow margin of 1-0.
They face Mumbai FC against whom they have been the better side on the two occasions the sides have squared against each other this season. In the home games against the Mumbai club, they missed a host of chances after taking the lead but a Riston Rodrigues piledriver restored parity against the run of play for the visitors. In the Federation Cup, their group game ended in a 0-0 draw.
They also have the honours of facing Vasco SC on the final day which should translate into three points.
Mohammedan Sporting is the second side from Kolkata who can possibly find themselves from where they emerged at the start of the season. They have the third worst goal difference but going by their inspired display in the recent games, many are of the opinion that Mohammedan would be able to pull off a coup. On paper, they have the toughest games as they face Dempo SC and strong title contenders Churchill Brothers away from home.
Both the Goan sides have a very solid home record and to beat them in their own backyard would mean something special from Mike Okoro and company. Their chances are dimmest to stay in the league next season and only a miracle can save them. The Mohammedan – Churchill Brothers game could be the decider for the title and relegation this season.
Over to JCT and the Punjab side have come on their own in the last two matches. They dominated Mohun Bagan and got the better of Sporting Clube De Goa. They have a very good record against the big teams. To face East Bengal away from home is a tricky encounter but having Mumbai FC at home on the last day is an advantage they enjoy. Neither of the teams have been in good touch and it does appear that JCT would survive the disgrace of falling down.
Air India’s heroics at the death against Churchill Brothers ensured that the title race got even murkier. With 23 points and having to play a disgruntled Sporting Clube De Goa in their last match, one could back them to come good. Their home game could be shifted to a neutral venue due to elections and that could play a key role in their result.
East Bengal cannot exactly be said to be in danger but it’s possible mathematically and going by their bad form, one has to take them into consideration. They take on JCT at home in what could be a very vital game for both sides. The Red and Gold’s host Dempo SC in round 22. If they lose both their games and Mohammedan Sporting, Air India, Chirag United and JCT manage to cross the 24 point mark, the Kolkata giants could end up being relegated.
The war against death is on and who shall be the second to crumble? We have mentioned ‘Second’ as Vasco SC have already booked their berth in second division.
Rahul Bali.
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