The I-League enters its fourth round and Goal.com previews the weekend action for Indian football lovers.
This weekend would see five games instead of six as the Dempo – Mumbai FC game has been postponed due to the former’s participation in the AFC Cup semi-final next week.
All the big teams have failed to deliver what was expected of them. The weekend gives them a chance to redeem themselves.
JCT – Mahindra United (18th October ’08, Punjab)
Mahindra United hold the dubious distinction of being the only team in the league so far who have opened their account. They have lost all their three games and haven’t impressed either.
The Red Devils were billed as one of the favourites to win the league title but with current form, that looks highly unlikely. The Mumbai team have their next four games away from home and return for the Mumbai derby against Air India, who are difficult to get away with.
Thoi Singh has been left out of the 18 while in comes Punjab boy Manjit Singh. Whether the latter can change the fortunes for Mahindra United in his homeland remains to be seen.
JCT aren’t affected by the absence of their star players – Renedy Singh and Sunil Chettri who left for East Bengal last summer. They started defensively against Dempo and made the most of the two counterattacks, gave a lacklustre display against Vasco and snapped up their first three home points last week after defeating Mohammedan Sporting.
Punjab is always a difficult place to travel and Mahindra United will have to play out of their skin to register their first three points.
Air India – Chirag United (18th October ’08, Mumbai)
Air India have had a decent I-League so far and haven’t been defeated as yet. In all their games, they have been the first to take the lead.
At Cooperage to beat Air India, you have to play exceptionally well. The bouncy ground helps the style of the Mumbai team given that they play the ball in the air very often.
In Bimal Ghosh, they have a wily tactician who can outthink his opponents.
The last time Chirag United came to the city, which was about a fortnight ago, they won the hearts with a brilliant come back in the second half against Mahindra United. A group of youngsters coupled with some ‘big club rejects’ have been turned into a strong unit by Coach Subrata Bhattacharya.
Both the teams have a lot in common – a lot of youngsters, defensive style, depending on counterattacks. It will be an interesting battle.
East Bengal – Vasco SC (18th October ’08, Kolkata)
The Kolkata giants have been disappointing this season and despite the big signings and all the humdrum about them, they find themselves in the bottom half of the table. Injury worries have been a constant problem with this side since last season.
Two consecutive losses means that the pressure is on them and any lackadaisical attitude shown by them could hit back. Coach Stanley Rosario is struggling to field his best XI. Their defensive problems never seem to end with Suleh Musa and company conceding silly goals.
They won their first game against Chirag by pelting in three goals in the first half, all of which were due to criminal defensive errors by the opposition defenders. Not to forget that Chirag were without any of their foreign players!
Vasco, on the other hand, have quite a huge task ahead of them. It’s essential for them not to be overawed by the opposition and the crowd and play their natural game.
For the first time, they are travelling and a single point from the clash for them would be as good as a victory.
Churchill Brothers SC – Sporting Club De Goa (19th October ’08, Goa)
Churchill Brothers are on four points from two games, a very result considering the off-field problems they had during the summer. They won their opener against Mahindra United but couldn’t offer much in their second game against Chirag United.
They have beaten Sporting Club de Goa on numerous occasions, including the Durand Cup semi-finals this year. Over dependence on Odafa Okolie is something that they must do away with. This is the first real test for Sporting Club de Goa this season.
Facing a team which is strong and fairly in form, Sporting would have to show that they are top of the table not by chance. They won against Mohun Bagan in the last round but the poor football the latter team has put on display, one wouldn’t count that as a real test.
Mohun Bagan – Mohammedan Sporting (19th October ’08, Kolkata)
This is the match of round four. Both the teams have had a stuttering start and occupy the 10th and 11th positions on the table. Injury worries for Bagan never seem to end, pretty much similar to their arch rivals East Bengal.
The Green and Maroon are low on confidence and their defense looks shabby. The absence of the third foreigner player isn’t helping their cause either with the AIFF reportedly ruling that Marcos Pereira cannot join the Kolkata club.
Mohammedan Sporting too have defensive problems and are on the lookout for players who would bail them out. Their strikers have been off colour as they is very little service given to them.
Nonetheless, it would be a good game and the fans are as excited for the big clash. A defeat for either of the sides would be heartbreaking.
Source:Goal.com
This weekend would see five games instead of six as the Dempo – Mumbai FC game has been postponed due to the former’s participation in the AFC Cup semi-final next week.
All the big teams have failed to deliver what was expected of them. The weekend gives them a chance to redeem themselves.
JCT – Mahindra United (18th October ’08, Punjab)
Mahindra United hold the dubious distinction of being the only team in the league so far who have opened their account. They have lost all their three games and haven’t impressed either.
The Red Devils were billed as one of the favourites to win the league title but with current form, that looks highly unlikely. The Mumbai team have their next four games away from home and return for the Mumbai derby against Air India, who are difficult to get away with.
Thoi Singh has been left out of the 18 while in comes Punjab boy Manjit Singh. Whether the latter can change the fortunes for Mahindra United in his homeland remains to be seen.
JCT aren’t affected by the absence of their star players – Renedy Singh and Sunil Chettri who left for East Bengal last summer. They started defensively against Dempo and made the most of the two counterattacks, gave a lacklustre display against Vasco and snapped up their first three home points last week after defeating Mohammedan Sporting.
Punjab is always a difficult place to travel and Mahindra United will have to play out of their skin to register their first three points.
Air India – Chirag United (18th October ’08, Mumbai)
Air India have had a decent I-League so far and haven’t been defeated as yet. In all their games, they have been the first to take the lead.
At Cooperage to beat Air India, you have to play exceptionally well. The bouncy ground helps the style of the Mumbai team given that they play the ball in the air very often.
In Bimal Ghosh, they have a wily tactician who can outthink his opponents.
The last time Chirag United came to the city, which was about a fortnight ago, they won the hearts with a brilliant come back in the second half against Mahindra United. A group of youngsters coupled with some ‘big club rejects’ have been turned into a strong unit by Coach Subrata Bhattacharya.
Both the teams have a lot in common – a lot of youngsters, defensive style, depending on counterattacks. It will be an interesting battle.
East Bengal – Vasco SC (18th October ’08, Kolkata)
The Kolkata giants have been disappointing this season and despite the big signings and all the humdrum about them, they find themselves in the bottom half of the table. Injury worries have been a constant problem with this side since last season.
Two consecutive losses means that the pressure is on them and any lackadaisical attitude shown by them could hit back. Coach Stanley Rosario is struggling to field his best XI. Their defensive problems never seem to end with Suleh Musa and company conceding silly goals.
They won their first game against Chirag by pelting in three goals in the first half, all of which were due to criminal defensive errors by the opposition defenders. Not to forget that Chirag were without any of their foreign players!
Vasco, on the other hand, have quite a huge task ahead of them. It’s essential for them not to be overawed by the opposition and the crowd and play their natural game.
For the first time, they are travelling and a single point from the clash for them would be as good as a victory.
Churchill Brothers SC – Sporting Club De Goa (19th October ’08, Goa)
Churchill Brothers are on four points from two games, a very result considering the off-field problems they had during the summer. They won their opener against Mahindra United but couldn’t offer much in their second game against Chirag United.
They have beaten Sporting Club de Goa on numerous occasions, including the Durand Cup semi-finals this year. Over dependence on Odafa Okolie is something that they must do away with. This is the first real test for Sporting Club de Goa this season.
Facing a team which is strong and fairly in form, Sporting would have to show that they are top of the table not by chance. They won against Mohun Bagan in the last round but the poor football the latter team has put on display, one wouldn’t count that as a real test.
Mohun Bagan – Mohammedan Sporting (19th October ’08, Kolkata)
This is the match of round four. Both the teams have had a stuttering start and occupy the 10th and 11th positions on the table. Injury worries for Bagan never seem to end, pretty much similar to their arch rivals East Bengal.
The Green and Maroon are low on confidence and their defense looks shabby. The absence of the third foreigner player isn’t helping their cause either with the AIFF reportedly ruling that Marcos Pereira cannot join the Kolkata club.
Mohammedan Sporting too have defensive problems and are on the lookout for players who would bail them out. Their strikers have been off colour as they is very little service given to them.
Nonetheless, it would be a good game and the fans are as excited for the big clash. A defeat for either of the sides would be heartbreaking.
Source:Goal.com
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