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Overview
Although the I-League started last week something significant was missing – telecast. ‘Airtel’ was roped in as the title sponsor on the eve of the opening weekend but none of the six matches was telecasted much to the frustration of Indian football followers. But more than that, the league lost a big chance to create new fans as generally there is a big buzz around the start of anything new. One doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that there is a big pool of young audience out there who want to watch Indian football but just don’t get exposed enough due to the lack of promotion and coverage and that remained the case for the start of the 2013-14 season as well.
But as they say ‘better late than ever’ and the I-League will finally have its first televised game this weekend. In fact, two games will be LIVE on Ten Action but still there are a lot of complaints regarding the lack of buildup with limited promos about the new season. With regular exposure to several European leagues, fans have a tendency nowadays to compare coverage and that will be the case while the two matches are telecasted this weekend.
Interestingly, the players and coaches too have been lamenting about the lack of coverage but now that it is sorted, they have important points to play for with some teams looking to build up some momentum while others want to bounce back after disappointing results on matchday one.
In Shillong, Lajong and Pune FC meet in an early top of the table clash while in Bangalore there is the battle of debutants Bengaluru FC and Rangdajied United. Five-time record champions Dempo will be aiming to recover from the 0-3 thumping they suffered at home against Lajong by getting maximum points against Mumbai FC, who still have to play their home matches in Pune. Financially handicapped and sponsor-less, United SC will look to build on their opening round win when they host Sporting Clube.
Defending champions Churchill Brothers entertain Mohun Bagan in the only game on Saturday with both teams looking to get their first win of the season while Salgaocar is the odd one out in this round (just a reminder that at least one team won’t be in action every round as the league has odd number of teams). While East Bengal still have to wait another week for their first I-League match as their game against Mohammedan Sporting this weekend was postponed due to their AFC Cup semi-final first leg against Kuwait SC on Tuesday.
So with telecast back, no more excuses football fans, you have two live Indian football matches to look forward to.
Fixtures
Saturday: Churchill Brothers vs Mohun Bagan (16:00)
Sunday: United Sports vs Sporting Clube de Goa (15:00); Shillong Lajong vs Pune (15:30); Bengaluru FC vs Rangdajied United (16:00); Mumbai FC vs Dempo (16:00)
Televised matches in bold (LIVE on Ten Action)
Game of the round
Churchill Brothers vs Mohun Bagan
Although the season is only one round old, both these clubs are not far away from a crisis. If the negative publicity of not paying their players on time wasn’t enough, both Churchill Brothers and Mohun Bagan have now also endured disappointing starts to their I-League campaign.
I-League holders Churchill Brothers were beaten 1-0 by local rivals Salgaocar and more than the result, the problems were highlighted in the team sheet of the Red Machines. With Gabon international Henri Antchouet injured and Syrian forward Ahmad Al Kaddour having only signed a few days before the game, technical director Sukhwinder Singh fielded the pairing of Jasion Vales and Bineesh Balan upfront. Both those players are highly talented but won’t help a side to challenge for the title.
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.
