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I-League’s gameweek 8 witnessed some see-saw battles, in which East Bengal got back to winning ways after three consecutive losses and Real Kashmir continued their home run with another fashionable win.
East Bengal, termed one of the contenders this season to lift the title, slumped to eighth on the table after three back to back losses, the last of which came against Minerva Punjab. The defending champions shocked the red and gold crowd with a surprising win.
However, the Kolkata giant came back to winning ways in the penultimate match of the week against Gokulam. The match will definitely boost them ahead of the all-important Kolkata Derby.
NEROCA, running high this time too, scripted a comfortable 3-0 victory against Indian Arrows. But the way Churchill Brothers defeated Aizawl would surely make them one of the contenders for the title.
Let us look at the five talking points from gameweek 8 of I-League:
#5 Hat-trick of losses for East Bengal
East Bengal endured their worst run in I-League. Three consecutive losses were something that was least expected by fans before the start of the season. But the red and golds slipped off their own peel.
Minerva Punjab might have fulfilled their aim of beating East Bengal, but the hosts were lacking the positivity that was needed for a win. Honestly, East Bengal opted for a defensive approach and at one point they looked like they were aiming for a draw.
The defending champions used the opportunity and scored a late goal to take all three points. East Bengal were in deep trouble.
In this match also, the midfield looked shaky. Also, there was little communication between the defenders and the goalkeeper. East Bengal coach’s strategy of fielding Ubaid CK instead of regular goalie Rakshit Dagar also backfired.
#4 Real Kashmir’s winning run continues
After some poor results in their opening three home matches, Real Kashmir looked like they have found their rhythm. The club has some exceptional local talent along with experienced foreigners who were probably missing the fire in the belly.
But against Aizawl, their overall attitude and performance of the team improved. Earlier, the goal-scoring responsibility was solely depending on Gnohere Krizo. But in this match, Real Kashmir coach introduced Kofi Tetteh as his partner.
That helped Krizo to ease off some pressure as he was alone in the attacking front. With Tetteh, he found an able partner who he can share passes with. Tetteh, operating from the left wing was useful in this match. Credits should be given to the only goalscorer of the match, Bazie Armand too, as he provided variety in the midfield.
Aizawl, on the other hand, had a few chances in this match. But their two strikers Ansumana Kromah and Leonce Dodoz are already famous for missing chances and this match was no exception.
#3 Arrows’ Manipuri brigade fails to make home return memorable
The return of Katsumi Yusa and Eduardo Ferreira proved to be a major boost for the Manipur-based side who made it two wins out of two matches. After Shillong Lajong, NEROCA beat Indian Arrows by a comfortable margin of 3-0.
Not just the experienced foreigners but the local Manipuri boys are also making an impact in NEROCA’s every match. Coach Manuel Retamero Fraile also trusts his young guns Thangmuansang, Moirangmayum Singh and Thangjam Singh.
But more than them, this was also a match for Suresh Singh Wangjam, Amarjit Singh Kiyam and Boris Singh Thangjam to prove their worth as they were playing in their home state in Manipur, albeit for a different team.
However, their inexperience against a powerful team was exposed in this match. The young guns of Arrows were outplayed from the very first minute.
These young kids are a bunch mostly in their teens. They still have a long way to go before taking on taller and stronger players like Eduardo or Varney Kallon.
There was an applause at the end of the match for Arrows’ Manipuri players and the only thing Floyd Pinto’s side gained from this match was what not to do in a football match.
#2 East Bengal back to winning ways as Gokulam struggle to replace German
The much-awaited Kolkata Derby is knocking on the door. Time was running out for East Bengal coach Alejandro Menendez to make amends to the mistakes they committed in their earlier matches.
East Bengal had already slipped to the bottom half of the table and a win against Gokulam Kerala was the first thing they wanted.
Menendez can heave a sigh of relief that the side, down with three back to back losses, finally found their rhythm. The four changes which he made came out successful as there is no option for an experiment in the derby.
Still, not all the worries are gone for them. East Bengal’s main striker Enrique Esqueda injured his rib in the match and had to be substituted at the half-time. He will probably not be available in Derby and that only mounts pressure on the coach.
East Bengal may have signed Jaime Santos Colado a few days ago, but it’s not sure whether he will play in the derby or not. The Kolkata derby is the ultimate exam for the coach and it need remembered his side have not won the fixture in the past few occasions.
Antonio German left Gokulam Kerala just before a day they were preparing to face East Bengal. On the field, the Malabarians missed a potent striker like him in the match.
The match also saw some questionable decisions by the referee which went against Gokulam.
#1 Churchill’s unbeaten run continues
The biggest surprise package in this year's I-League apart from Real Kashmir is surely Churchill Brothers. The two-time I-League winners were relegated last season but still included this time as there was no club who would represent the Western region in the premier tournament.
But as it seems, they have not taken the chance for granted. Immediately after they were included in the scheme, Churchill started acquiring players from different clubs and even from foreign shores. After seven matches, they are the second-placed team on the league table and only the second club besides league leaders Chennai City FC to maintain an unbeaten run so far.
Against Aizawl, they were more lethal and pumped four goals past their hapless opponents. Willis Plaza, rejected from East Bengal last season after failing to perform, is now the top scorer of the league with seven goals. Apart from Plaza, players like Khalid Aucho, Israil Gurung are also making headlines with their performances.
Is there another fairytale on the cards? Only time will tell.
