Plenty at stake in I-League's first-ever North-East Derby

The north-east part of the country has produced the maximum footballers in the I-League, with every club having at least one player from that region. However, for the first 13 seasons of the National Football League/I-League, there was no club from the North-East.

Shillong Lajong broke that trend in 2009-10 and despite their relegation that season, they came straight right back up in 2011-12. The Meghalaya club is not the only North-East representative this season as they have been joined by United Sikkim, co-owned by former India captain Bhaichung Bhutia.

The two teams face off for the first time in the I-League on Saturday in a historic day for North-East football. So while all the hype might be about the Big Kolkata Derby in other parts of the country, the North-East Derby will be have a special meaning for football fans in that region and they would be hoping it becomes a regular fixture in the I-League.

After comfortably surviving relegation last season, Lajong seems to have got stronger this term following the appointment of Desmond Bulpin, who, two seasons back, did wonders with the newly-formed Indian Arrows team.

Unlike the top clubs of the country, Lajong have had a very professional approach as they haven’t spent all their budget on player recruitments, and instead have a proper youth structure in place with players coming through the ranks and becoming part of the senior squad.

Former India captain Renedy Singh and striker Sushil Singh are the most notable names in the squad with even the foreigners being low-profile yet effective. The core of the team consists of young and talented players from different parts of the North-East.

So it’s no surprise to see them being so strong at home with 11 points from seven games, which includes wins over Mohun Bagan and Prayag United and a highly creditable draw against East Bengal in the last round.

The concern for Bulpin will be the away form as they have lost both their previous two games conceding eight goals. Acclimatising to conditions might be an excuse elsewhere in the country but not in Gangtok, thus Bulpin and his boys will be eager to gain three points and the bragging rights of the North East on Saturday.

I-League newboys United Sikkim have shown improvement in their last three matches after a tough start to their debut season. The Sikkim club, like Lajong, looked formidable at home after the first five games as they picked up four points including a win over 2010-11 champions Salgaocar.

Their first-ever away match in the I-League ended in a 10-1 defeat to Prayag United, a result which would also bring an end to Phillipe De Ridder’s tenure as head coach. Bhaichung Bhutia took charge and immediately there was a change in the self-belief and body language of the players.

They only narrowly lost 1-2 to Sporting Clube de Goa and then some late goals and harsh referring decisions denied them away wins against Pune FC and Air India. The goalless draw against Churchill Brothers in the last game reconfirmed their strong home form and they will be looking to continue that against Lajong.

United Sikkim on paper are weaker than Lajong as besides former India defender Anwar Ali and 2006 Costa Rican World Cupper Michael Rodrigues, the squad is full of youngsters, most of whom are playing for the first time in the I-League. Even their foreigners are new to Indian football.

But every team has struggled against them at Gangtok’s Paljor Stadium and it seems home form will be vital for United Sikkim in their bid for survival.

Saturday’s game of course means much more than points as regional pride is at stake. Lajong would look to show why they have more experience at this level while Sikkim have the extra incentive of performing for their co-owner, player and coach Bhaichung Bhutia, whose father passed away on Thursday.