I-League: Round 2 Preview – LIVE telecast begins

Churchill Brothers are overdependent on Henri Antchouet this time

Last season, Churchill Brothers had an embarrassment of riches in attack with Brazilian Beto, Lebanon international Akram Moghrabi, who was later replaced by Afghanistan international Balal Arezou and Antchouet of course. While India skipper Sunil Chhetri was also signed in the second half of the season. This term it seems that the Goan club will be overdependent on an ageing Antchouet as Syrian Al Kaddour is inexperienced and completely new to Indian football while Portuguese Hugo Machado might need a lot of time to adjust. Other areas of the team too don’t have much strength in depth so another defeat would just make matters worse.

Mohun Bagan needed an injury-time equaliser to salvage a point against I-League debutants Bengaluru FC. Although their playing style wasn’t pleasing on the eye, Karim Bencherifa’s side did have the better chances and also missed a penalty at 0-0. Considering Bengaluru FC’s potential, it might turn out to be a point gained later in the season. But we are talking about Mohun Bagan, one of the most followed football clubs in the country, so a draw against any team is considered a failure.

Mohun Bagan coach Karim Bencherifa is under immense pressure

Especially when the 124-year-old club has been trophyless for the last three seasons despite enormous investment. They also haven’t won the league since 2002 and the draw against Bengaluru was their third straight in all competitions. All this is happening at a time when arch-rivals East Bengal have become the darling of Indian football by reaching the semi-finals of the AFC Cup. The absence of skipper and talisman Odafa Okolie has been heavily felt but it’s no longer an excuse that coach Karim Bencherifa and the players can use. It’s high time for the others to step up or the demanding Mohun Bagan fans will get even more restless.

So there is plenty at stake in this game even at this early stage of the season. Back in May, a draw for Churchill Brothers in this fixture saw them win their second-ever I-League title but a similar result may not do any good for either side although on paper it should be a good point for Mohun Bagan.

Clearly the broadcasters couldn’t have picked a better game to start the live telecasting this season.

Players to watch out for

Foreigner: Cornell Glen (Shillong Lajong)

The 2006 World Cupper had a dream I-League debut

The Trinidad and Tobago World Cupper lived up to the high expectations on his debut by bagging a brace to help his new club Shillong Lajong record a rare away win in Goa against Dempo. Glen would be looking to impress on his home debut too against Pune FC by getting on the scoresheet again.

Indian: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

Anyone who had the India captain in their I-League fantasy team suffered big time as he wasn’t named in the starting eleven, just like the SAFF 2013 final, for his new club Bengaluru FC’s I-League debut. Chhetri could start against Rangdajied United though and will relish playing against an inexperienced backline.