After another round of I-League action over the weekend, the 2016 title race took a dramatic turn with only two more games to go. Three teams are in the mix for the trophy – Bengaluru FC, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal - while the rest of the pack will be fighting to avoid relegation.
Such a scenario is somewhat unprecedented but in a truncated season with only nine teams, it was always bound to happen. The top two traded leads over the course of the season with Mohun Bagan initially trailing due to playing fewer games. They took the lead and held on to it before a collapse saw them lose to arch-rivals East Bengal and draw the next two games.
On the other hand, Bengaluru FC kept up the pace with two wins and a draw. After the big 3-1 win over East Bengal at home on Sunday night, the fate of the I-League title race is firmly in their hands. But a twist in the tale next weekend could see all three teams in with a shot at winning it on the final matchday.
| # | Club | Games | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bengaluru FC | 14 | 29 |
| 2 | Mohun Bagan | 15 | 27 |
| 3 | East Bengal | 14 | 24 |
What Bengaluru FC need to do to win
This is the easiest scenario to deal with at the moment. Bengaluru FC have two games to play while Mohun Bagan have just the one. If Bengaluru beat Salgaocar this weekend, they will have an unassailable lead at the top with a game to spare and Mohun Bagan will not be able to catch up and neither will East Bengal.
If the Blues lose, then their last game against Mohun Bagan in Kolkata becomes a virtual final with Bengaluru needing only a draw while Mohun Bagan will need a win – a repeat of last year’s final game with the scenario reversed.
“It is never done until it is over. I have seen too much football to know that it is not done. That was the message that I gave to the players.” – Ashley Westwood on Bengaluru FC’s official website
Bengaluru’s Goan opponents, fighting to avoid relegation, climbed up the table after Darryl Duffy’s free-kick secured all three points. Bengaluru beat them 2-1 in the opening fixture of the season with goals from CK Vineeth and Sunil Chhetri.
What Mohun Bagan need to do to win
For the Kolkata club to defend their title, they will be hoping to see the Goan side triumph over Bengaluru FC. Even a draw would help their case as they already have a win over the Blues if the head-to-head record comes into the picture.
If Bengaluru draw against Salgaocar and lose to Mohun Bagan while East Bengal win their last two matches (against Sporting Clube de Goa and Shillong Lajong), all three teams will finish on 30 points. In that case, the head-to-head record gives Mohun Bagan the advantage.
| Home / Away | Bengaluru FC | Mohun Bagan | East Bengal |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bengaluru FC | - | L | W |
| Mohun Bagan | W | - | D |
| East Bengal | L | W | - |
| # | Club | Results | Points |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Mohun Bagan | 2 Wins – 1 Draw – 1 Loss | 7 |
| 2 | Bengaluru FC | 2 Wins – 2 Losses | 6 |
| 3 | East Bengal | 1 Win – 1 Draw – 2 Losses | 4 |
If this is the case, then Mohun Bagan will defend their title and be crowned champions – this time on home turf.
What East Bengal need to do to win
Currently in third place, East Bengal are living on a prayer to win the I-League title. The first thing they must do is win their last two games. Even a draw would rule them out of the title race.
If they win those two games, they next require Bengaluru FC to lose both their games against Salgaocar and Mohun Bagan. That would see Mohun Bagan and East Bengal finish on 30 points while Bengaluru FC will be stuck on 29.
With the two Kolkata giants tied on 30 points, the head-to-head record works in East Bengal’s favour. East Bengal have one win (2-1) over their rivals while the other Kolkata derby ended in a draw (1-1). That will give East Bengal the I-League title.
