I-League 2017/18: 5 reasons for East Bengal's impressive performance this season

Amidst the I-League-ISL merger debate we have already approached mid way of the season. Having enjoyed the top spot for a considerable period, the Kolkata giants East Bengal have of lately slipped to second but they are still in contention for the most coveted football trophy of the nation.

Since there is a chance of ISL-I League merger, the Reds and Golds are leaving no stone unturned to bring the trophy home. Having witnessed their arch rivals, Mohun Bagan lift the trophy once already, this may be their final chance to turn the tide and so far they have done well to bolster their chances.

Here's a look at five things which East Bengal have done right to keep their title campaign on track:

#5 Khalid 'strategic' Jamil factor

Coach Khalid Jamil has been a known figure in the national football circuit for the last eight years and he is famous for helping small teams upset the biggies. However, tides turned when Aizawl FC became champions in the last season under his guidance.

East Bengal officials did not hesitate to successfully lure the master strategist to their club for a whooping Rs 1.25 crore and so far he has lived up to the expectations of the fans.

Popularly known as ‘Khalid sir’, he has earned the respect of the players and united the team to face all the odds and evens together. He is a strict disciplinarian who reads the game well and knows how to take away matches from opposition.

#4 Garcia and his fitness regime

Till last year, the Mohun Bagan players seemed to be far more agile than the East Bengal stars. This season there is plot reversal. The man who has made all the difference is Djair Miranda Garcia, the physical trainer. Hiring Garcia has undoubtedly been one of the smartest tactical moves by East Bengal. Having been with Mohun Bagan for last few seasons, now he is helping the Red and Golds to stay fit. Compared to last year, injuries have been less, all thanks to this smiling silent Brazilian

#3 Katsumi Yusa-Al Amna chemistry

The on-field chemistry of Katsumi Yusa and Mahmoud Al Amna has proved to be a blessing for East Bengal. While the former Mohun Bagan maestro is known for his raw pace and he tries to dribble pass the defenders creating chances, the Syrian superstar gives a sense of stability in the midfield with his sheer experience and ball distributions. Both read the game equally well, understands each other game and most importantly complements each other. The duo has been a powerhouse for East Bengal creating chances in front of the goal at ease.

#2 Senior-junior balance

At the start of the season, the East Bengal team went on a complete revamp mode to construct a fresh team for a new goal. While few of the senior players like Arnab Mondal, Md. Rafique, Mirshad, Cavin Lobo were retained, the likes of Salam Ranjan Singh, Prakash Sarkar, Brandon have turned up to be good bets when they were exposed to challenges. The mutual respect and good blend of the players on and off the field makes East Bengal a happy family and the performance is just the reflection of it. The management and the coach will be looking forward towards these youngsters to take up the challenge along with the seniors to fulfill the dream of the club in the coming months.

#1. Bringing in Dudu Omagbemi

Last but not the least the decision to bring in Dudu Omagbemi in place of Charles de Souza, who failed to impress, might prove to be vital. One area regarding which the East Bengal think tank was skeptical about was the goal drought of Charles and Willis Deon Plaza. Although Plaza had scored a few goals, the season was a disaster for Charles. The lack of conversion of chances cost many points to the side and even pushed them down to the second spot. Now that Omagbemi is brought into the squad, it will be interesting to see what the I-League veteran brings to the table.

Edited by Argha Bhattacharya