I-League: Round 5 Preview – Top spot up for grabs

Overview

Pune FC could go top in this roundPhoto Credit: AIFF Media

Airtel I-League returns after a week with six games in this round. While most domestic leagues around the world were not in action at the weekend due to the international break, I-League clubs had a breather due to the Durga Puja, Dussehra and Id celebrations. Neither the Indian national team nor any of the foreign players were in action in internationals so club coaches didn’t have to worry at all about getting players back fresh from international duty.

This round provides the chance for three teams to go level on points with league leaders Bengaluru FC, who won’t be in action, and maybe even go top if they get the right result. Both Salgaocar and Pune FC need a two-goal margin victory to overtake Bengaluru on goal difference but each side face a tricky test.

Salgaocar will be playing their first game outside Goa against Mumbai FC in Pune with the aim of maximum points after throwing away the lead in the 1-1 stalemate with local rivals Dempo in the last round. Pune FC will enjoy home comforts again against winless defending champions Churchill Brothers, who are now looking to bring back Subhash Bhowmick after the resignation of technical director Sukhwinder Singh. The former India coach resigned citing the poor start of the team as the Red Machines have two points after four games.

Sukhwinder Singh has resigned as Churchill Brothers technical director

Another club that could go top in this round is sponsorless United Sports Club, albeit having played a game more than Bengaluru FC. After winning their first two matches at home, the purple shirts picked up just a point in their last two away fixtures and this weekend they are on their travels again as they face Lajong in Shillong. United SC’s Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie will serve the second of his two-match touchline ban but his team could be the new league leaders if they register a two-goal margin victory in Shillong.

Struggling Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting will also be determined for their first win of the season. Mohun Bagan will play their first home match of this campaign against Sporting Clube and their skipper and talisman Odafa Okolie could finally return from injury.

Mohammedan Sporting are away at newly-promoted Shillong outfit Rangdajied United, which looks an easy fixture on paper but actually isn’t as Rangdajied were full value for their draws against Dempo and Churchill Brothers in the previous two home games.

The round starts on Thursday with AFC Cup semi-finalists East Bengal hosting winless Dempo in Kalyani. This fixture was put forward by two days due to East Bengal’s AFC Cup semi-final second leg against Kuwait SC on Tuesday. The red-and-gold brigade will be looking to go into that historic clash with six points from two I-League games.

Fixtures

Thursday: East Bengal vs Dempo (14:30, LIVE on Ten Action)

Friday: Mumbai FC vs Salgaocar (16:00)

Saturday: Shillong Lajong vs United (15:30); Mohun Bagan vs Sporting Clube (17:00; LIVE on Ten Action); Pune FC vs Churchill Brothers (19:00; LIVE on Ten Action)

Sunday: Rangdajied United vs Mohammedan Sporting (15:30)

Game of the round

East Bengal vs Dempo

East Bengal would be aiming to beat Dempo before their AFC Cup semi-final 2nd leg against Kuwait SCPhoto Credit: WSG

This fixture has traditionally been a title decider over the years but the early signs are that it may not be the case this season. Although it’s still early days, East Bengal could potentially end Dempo’s title challenge after five rounds because maximum points in this game will see the red-and-gold brigade go three points clear of the five-time record Indian champions with three games in hand.

Dempo are already seven points off the top and thus even a draw in this game won’t really help their title aspirations. Head coach Arthur Papas had been away in Australia to sort out some visa issues but he is back for this game and will be encouraged by his team’s second half display against Salgaocar. The likes of Beto, Clifford Miranda and Jeje Lalpekhlua really stepped up after the interval and a similar performance will be required to beat East Bengal, who on paper look clear favourites to win the title.

East Bengal’s Brazilian coach Marcos Falopa has so far passed his tests but will be well aware that a bad result in this game would put pressure on him to secure a passage to the AFC Cup final, something which looks daunting on paper against defending champions Kuwait SC. It would also affect the confidence of the squad which is expected to deliver the club’s first league title in nine years.

The Kolkata club already have a big fixture backlog both in the I-League and Calcutta Football League so only wins can help them keep going in a season that promises to be long and tiring. They will be confident of maximum points against Dempo but must respect the Goan side’s qualities and avoid complacency.

Since it’s a new era for Dempo under Papas, the Australian will be given time to rebuild the team but another defeat could seriously affect the team’s morale. Dempo have some history against them in this fixture as they haven’t beaten East Bengal in their last eight encounters in all competitions. But the Kolkata club too has failed to win their last three games in Kalyani. One of those sequences is likely to change in this clash.

Players to watch out for

Foreigner: Darryl Duffy (Salgaocar)

The Scotsman has settled well into Indian football having scored in each of the three games so far and will be determined to continue that run against Mumbai FC. Salgaocar don’t have enough strength in depth in attack thus their title aspirations will depend heavily on Duffy’s finishing.

Indian: Jeje Lalpekhlua (Dempo)

Jeje was the last Indian player to reach double figures in the I-League and this term he is the only Indian to score more than once. The Mizoram striker played on the wing against Salgaocar but still managed to get on the scoresheet. He would be hoping to play upfront and have a huge impact against East Bengal.