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Goal.com India Special: I-League 09-10 Season Predictions
Goal.com India's editorial team get together and give their individual predictions for the new season of the I-League.....
01-Oct-2009 2:02:59 PM
Rahul Bali
Champion:
I would refrain from giving any one particular name and be more realistic in predicting. Going by the squad depths, I feel any of the four teams have a great chance of winning the title - Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Dempo and Mahindra United.
Two Relegated Teams:
I can name one for sure - Viva Kerala. Last year, we saw JCT, Air India and East Bengal fighting for relegation so difficult to predict the other name.
Surprise Package (Team):
Shillong Lajong for sure.
Biggest Disappointment (Team):
East Bengal. Though I don't have much hopes from them after a disappointing pre-season.
Best Player:
Odafa. No other player gives the same value to a team in the way the Nigerian gives to Churchilll.
Best Young Player:
The 22 year old Rowilson Rodrigues impressed in both the IFA Shield and Durand Cup. He is one of best young defenders in India and this could be his best season.
Topscorer:
Without a doubt Odafa.
Best Coach:
The best coach would be any one of the four teams whom I mentioned as favorites for the I-League title as the AIFF awards it to the one who wins it.
Best Foreigner:
Odafa of course.
Best Indian Player:
Both Steven Dias and Anthony Pereira should play key roles for their clubs. India's first team wingers are important players for their teams and are a class above most players in the country.
Best Goalkeeper:
The trio of Arindam Bhattahcharya, Subrata Paul and Sangram Mukherjee are three of the best goalkeepers in India and their performances will be instrumental in their team's success.
Best Defender:
The partnership of Gouramangi Singh and Rowilson Rodrigues is the most in form defensive pairing in the country and will be difficult to play against.
Best Midfielder:
Both Ogba Kalu Nnanna and Beto are the most complete medios in the I-League. Unless any injuries, they are likely to be consistent yet again.
One Player Who'll be Missed Amongst Those Injured:
Sukhwinder Singh of Mahindra United
Atishay Agarwal
Champion: Churchill Brothers are my overwhelming favorites. They have already proved their mettle by winning both the Durand Cup and IFA Shield. So next up will be the I-League.
Two Relegated Teams: I am only sure about Viva Kerala. The other one is difficult to predict. Teams like Salagaocar, Air India and Chirag United will be the contenders for the drop. But I expect all the I-League debutants barring Kerala to survive.
Surprise Package (Team): Without a doubt it will be Shillong Lajong. They're one of the most exciting teams in the I-League this time, who play a high-tempo team game. Watch out for a number of upsets caused by them.
Biggest Disappointment (Team): The league hasn't started but East Bengal are already a disappointment, and I'm not expecting much more now.
Best Player: Odafa was by far the best last season, and nothing during the pre-season tournaments suggests that this will change.
Best Young Player: Reisangmi Vashum has been in very good form during pre season, and will keep improving due to Churchill's attacking game. He could push for an India spot by the season end.
Topscorer: Has to be Odafa, no arguments here, I think.
Best Coach: I think it will be Derrick Pereira. It might be a weird choice, but I get the feeling that Pereira will pay a lot of attention on his side's tactics throughout the season, which should keep Pune up.
Best Foreigner: Odafa again.
Best Indian Player: Subrata Paul is on a high, and playing for a new I-League side like Pune FC, a lot will depend on him. He will definitely have more than his fair share of saves to make, and he should come up trumps
Best Goalkeeper: Subrata will have competition, but the fact that he will be required to make many saves, should make him the best in his position.
Best Defender: I would really like to see some fresh new talented defenders this season but I feel it will once again be the usual suspects with Mahesh Gawli being the best of the lot.
Best Midfielder: I will pick two- Beto & Marcos Pereira. Both the Brazilians are the kind of players who are the driving force behind their team's attacks, and are high-quality midfielders.
One Player who'll be Missed amongst those Injured: N S Manju is easily one of the best defenders in country but is once again down with an injury. This one he suffered in the opening game of the Nehru Cup against Lebanon.
Amoy Ghoshal
Champion: Holders Churchill Brothers will be the team to beat but the likes of Mohun Bagan, Dempo and Mahindra United also has squads good enough to win the title. Only two teams have retained the title in the combined history of the National League and I-League so that trend might just continue this season also.
Two Relegated Teams: I think any two from Viva Kerala, Salgaocar, Air India and JCT look likely to get relegated. But don’t be surprised if one of the stronger teams on paper also get involved in the survival fight.
Surprise Package (Team): Both Shillong Lajong and Pune FC have a lot of potential to be up there with the big boys even though they don’t have too many stars. I think the presence of experienced coach Derrick Pereira and India’s number one Subrata Paul will help Pune finish high up in the table.
Biggest Disappointment (Team): Going by pre-season I want to say East Bengal but I have a funny feeling that they will regroup and finish in the top five. Last year’s third placed team Sporting Clube de Goa and the busiest team in terms of transfers- Chirag United might struggle this term.
Best Player: I can only think of one player in this category and that is without a doubt – Odafa Onyeka Okolie. The only likely way a different player will win this accolade is if the Nigerian gets injured.
Best Young Player (23 years and below): There are many talented players in the country but going by pre-season my favourite for this category is Reisangmi Vashum. The 21 year old has excelled in a more central role upfront but is likely to play on the right side with the availability of Felix Chimaokwu in the I-league.
Topscorer: Once again only Odafa comes to find. With four extra games this term, the Nigerian will be looking to reach the 30 goal mark.
Best Coach: I have a strong feeling for Dempo this season and since this category is heavily dependant on the performance of the team, I think Armando Colaco might scoop this one.
Best Foreigner: For the third time in this article I say Odafa. Considering the fact that the Nigerian will be the best in two other categories, this one should only be for the rest and in that case the likes of Kalu, Beto, Barreto will have a big say.
Best Indian Player: The players who are already part of the national team are once again likely to shine. If I have to pick one, I would go for Sunil Chhetri. The former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal striker will get a lot of quality service from the Dempo midfield so he would be looking to make the most of it.
Best Goalkeeper: Subrata Paul will be determined to take his national team form into club level so I fancy the Sodepur custodian to shine this season.
Best Defender: The likes of Gouramangi, Mahesh Gawli and Anwar are once again likely to pay big roles for their clubs. Among non national team players, Mahindra’s Kali Alauddin and Churchill’s Rowilson Rodrigues could prove to be big hits.
Best Midfielder: Ogba Kalu Nnanna looks to be the most complete midfielder in the I-League. Among Indian players, the Dempo trio of Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda and Anthony Pereira should also have good seasons.
One Player Who'll be Missed Amongst Those Injured: East Bengal players are once again likely to make headlines in this category.
Do you agree with our experts? What are your predictions for the new season? Goal.com India would love to hear from you.
Champion:
I would refrain from giving any one particular name and be more realistic in predicting. Going by the squad depths, I feel any of the four teams have a great chance of winning the title - Churchill Brothers, Mohun Bagan, Dempo and Mahindra United.
Two Relegated Teams:
I can name one for sure - Viva Kerala. Last year, we saw JCT, Air India and East Bengal fighting for relegation so difficult to predict the other name.
Surprise Package (Team):
Shillong Lajong for sure.
Biggest Disappointment (Team):
East Bengal. Though I don't have much hopes from them after a disappointing pre-season.
Best Player:
Odafa. No other player gives the same value to a team in the way the Nigerian gives to Churchilll.
Best Young Player:
The 22 year old Rowilson Rodrigues impressed in both the IFA Shield and Durand Cup. He is one of best young defenders in India and this could be his best season.
Topscorer:
Without a doubt Odafa.
Best Coach:
The best coach would be any one of the four teams whom I mentioned as favorites for the I-League title as the AIFF awards it to the one who wins it.
Best Foreigner:
Odafa of course.
Best Indian Player:
Both Steven Dias and Anthony Pereira should play key roles for their clubs. India's first team wingers are important players for their teams and are a class above most players in the country.
Best Goalkeeper:
The trio of Arindam Bhattahcharya, Subrata Paul and Sangram Mukherjee are three of the best goalkeepers in India and their performances will be instrumental in their team's success.
Best Defender:
The partnership of Gouramangi Singh and Rowilson Rodrigues is the most in form defensive pairing in the country and will be difficult to play against.
Best Midfielder:
Both Ogba Kalu Nnanna and Beto are the most complete medios in the I-League. Unless any injuries, they are likely to be consistent yet again.
One Player Who'll be Missed Amongst Those Injured:
Sukhwinder Singh of Mahindra United
Atishay Agarwal
Champion: Churchill Brothers are my overwhelming favorites. They have already proved their mettle by winning both the Durand Cup and IFA Shield. So next up will be the I-League.
Two Relegated Teams: I am only sure about Viva Kerala. The other one is difficult to predict. Teams like Salagaocar, Air India and Chirag United will be the contenders for the drop. But I expect all the I-League debutants barring Kerala to survive.
Surprise Package (Team): Without a doubt it will be Shillong Lajong. They're one of the most exciting teams in the I-League this time, who play a high-tempo team game. Watch out for a number of upsets caused by them.
Biggest Disappointment (Team): The league hasn't started but East Bengal are already a disappointment, and I'm not expecting much more now.
Best Player: Odafa was by far the best last season, and nothing during the pre-season tournaments suggests that this will change.
Best Young Player: Reisangmi Vashum has been in very good form during pre season, and will keep improving due to Churchill's attacking game. He could push for an India spot by the season end.
Topscorer: Has to be Odafa, no arguments here, I think.
Best Coach: I think it will be Derrick Pereira. It might be a weird choice, but I get the feeling that Pereira will pay a lot of attention on his side's tactics throughout the season, which should keep Pune up.
Best Foreigner: Odafa again.
Best Indian Player: Subrata Paul is on a high, and playing for a new I-League side like Pune FC, a lot will depend on him. He will definitely have more than his fair share of saves to make, and he should come up trumps
Best Goalkeeper: Subrata will have competition, but the fact that he will be required to make many saves, should make him the best in his position.
Best Defender: I would really like to see some fresh new talented defenders this season but I feel it will once again be the usual suspects with Mahesh Gawli being the best of the lot.
Best Midfielder: I will pick two- Beto & Marcos Pereira. Both the Brazilians are the kind of players who are the driving force behind their team's attacks, and are high-quality midfielders.
One Player who'll be Missed amongst those Injured: N S Manju is easily one of the best defenders in country but is once again down with an injury. This one he suffered in the opening game of the Nehru Cup against Lebanon.
Amoy Ghoshal
Champion: Holders Churchill Brothers will be the team to beat but the likes of Mohun Bagan, Dempo and Mahindra United also has squads good enough to win the title. Only two teams have retained the title in the combined history of the National League and I-League so that trend might just continue this season also.
Two Relegated Teams: I think any two from Viva Kerala, Salgaocar, Air India and JCT look likely to get relegated. But don’t be surprised if one of the stronger teams on paper also get involved in the survival fight.
Surprise Package (Team): Both Shillong Lajong and Pune FC have a lot of potential to be up there with the big boys even though they don’t have too many stars. I think the presence of experienced coach Derrick Pereira and India’s number one Subrata Paul will help Pune finish high up in the table.
Biggest Disappointment (Team): Going by pre-season I want to say East Bengal but I have a funny feeling that they will regroup and finish in the top five. Last year’s third placed team Sporting Clube de Goa and the busiest team in terms of transfers- Chirag United might struggle this term.
Best Player: I can only think of one player in this category and that is without a doubt – Odafa Onyeka Okolie. The only likely way a different player will win this accolade is if the Nigerian gets injured.
Best Young Player (23 years and below): There are many talented players in the country but going by pre-season my favourite for this category is Reisangmi Vashum. The 21 year old has excelled in a more central role upfront but is likely to play on the right side with the availability of Felix Chimaokwu in the I-league.
Topscorer: Once again only Odafa comes to find. With four extra games this term, the Nigerian will be looking to reach the 30 goal mark.
Best Coach: I have a strong feeling for Dempo this season and since this category is heavily dependant on the performance of the team, I think Armando Colaco might scoop this one.
Best Foreigner: For the third time in this article I say Odafa. Considering the fact that the Nigerian will be the best in two other categories, this one should only be for the rest and in that case the likes of Kalu, Beto, Barreto will have a big say.
Best Indian Player: The players who are already part of the national team are once again likely to shine. If I have to pick one, I would go for Sunil Chhetri. The former Mohun Bagan and East Bengal striker will get a lot of quality service from the Dempo midfield so he would be looking to make the most of it.
Best Goalkeeper: Subrata Paul will be determined to take his national team form into club level so I fancy the Sodepur custodian to shine this season.
Best Defender: The likes of Gouramangi, Mahesh Gawli and Anwar are once again likely to pay big roles for their clubs. Among non national team players, Mahindra’s Kali Alauddin and Churchill’s Rowilson Rodrigues could prove to be big hits.
Best Midfielder: Ogba Kalu Nnanna looks to be the most complete midfielder in the I-League. Among Indian players, the Dempo trio of Climax Lawrence, Clifford Miranda and Anthony Pereira should also have good seasons.
One Player Who'll be Missed Amongst Those Injured: East Bengal players are once again likely to make headlines in this category.
Do you agree with our experts? What are your predictions for the new season? Goal.com India would love to hear from you.
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