It was an interesting week of football in the I-League, the table toppers Bengaluru FC have gone from first to fourth, and the Bengal clubs in Mohun Bagan and East Bengal lead the table in terms of points. Aizawl continued their brilliant start to the season, as they beat fellow high-flyers Mumbai FC.
The sole representative from Goa, Churchill Brothers finally got on the board, as DSK Shivajians after playing so well throughout the game, succumbed to a late equaliser from the ever excellent Adil Khan. Shillong Lajong too, picked up the first win of their campaign against a now faltering Minerva Punjab side.
Here are five talking points from last round of matches
#1 Minerva Punjab FC looks out of their depth
Having finished runners-up in the I-League second division, Minerva Academy were inevitably preparing for another season in the second division. Then they had the unexpected good news of Dempo pulling out, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Since then, it has been a fairy tale month or so for Minerva, but the fairytale looks like it’s turning into sad reality a bit too soon. Minerva have just one point on the board, which they got in their opening game of the season.
On, Saturday, they scored their first goal of the season, the first goal in four games. That, is a huge problem, especially with the number of goals they’re letting in through the back door. They have conceded a sum total of seven goals.
I know a lot wouldn’t have been expected when they were announced as one of the two new clubs in India’s first division. But, I am sure the players and especially Surinder Singh is expecting a lot more from his team.
#2 DSK Shivajians need to turn their performances into points
DSK Shivajians have a very interesting project in their hands, a coach who put his trust on young players, and a few experienced heads in the squad.
Playing their third game at home on the trot, they dominated possession and took the lead early via the aerial prowess of Kim Song Yong. The game followed a similar pattern after that as well, but DSK missed a host of chances.
As the game wore on the home team started conceding set pieces, and that is ultimately what cost them. Churchill scored via central defender Adil Khan (who by the way was very good throughout the game).
After the game, Dave Rodgers said: “We haven't conceded from set plays till now, but to concede a goal from a set piece in the final minutes was disappointing”. Of course, it was, putting things into perspective, they have Mohun Bagan to play up next.
#3 Mohun Bagan have undoubtedly the best front four in the League
There was no doubt that Mohun Bagan are a top heavy side. They have the likes of Sony Norde, Katsumi Yusa, Daryl Duffy, Kean Lewis, Jeje Lalpekhlua, Balwant Singh, Azharuddin Mallick and Raynier Fernandes who are competing for four positions.
It is so entertaining to see a side moving the ball into their front player as soon as possible, and that is what Souvik and Pronay do when they’re on the ball. The rest is up to Sony, Katsumi, Jeje and Daryl, as they interchange positions and attack the backline of the opposition.
Mohun Bagan might be laboured at the back and midfield, but once the ball comes into the final third, they are just about unstoppable on their day. Only an inspired Karanjit stopped them for getting more than the two they did.
#4 Bengaluru FC may not be the ultimate team we thought they were
Bengaluru FC have had a brilliant last three months. From reaching the finals of the AFC Cup to winning the first three games in the I-League without breaking a sweat, Bengaluru FC without any doubt were the favourites going into the game.
What followed was unexpected and intriguing to see, East Bengal not only beat their opponents, they beat them comfortably and probably should have beaten them with a more convincing scoreline.
Bengaluru FC were the second best side in every aspect, they created less chances, their defence faltered and East Bengal looked like they could score at will. Even worse, their forwards were easily stopped, and apart from the goal they didn’t create much to write home about.
After the game, Albert Roca said, “In the second half, it was again the same but we conceded some easy counterattacks. Also we have to check the long balls. They created many chances with just long balls. So we did not control the game”, indeed, this is India.
#5 Khalid Jamil’s work in Indian football is underrated
After the first round of fixtures, I wrote how Khalid Jamil is like the Tony Pulis of India, he works very well in the budget he gets. Scratch that, he works wonders at the budget he has.
Ahead of the game against his former side Mumbai FC, Santosh Kashyap summed up the man he succeeded, “He is a fighter, good coach, and a good motivator”, and he did motivate his troops brilliantly.
There was no huge celebrations from Khalid as well, respectful after the win he paid tribute to his former side, he said, “They are not my opponents. This is my club, I suffered a lot. I did many things for Mumbai and I feel very emotional at this point because I started my career here. Whatever I have achieved started from here. It is both a sad and good day”.
Job well done, I would say.
