'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The 2015/16 edition of the I-League kicks off on January 9th The Hero I-League 2016 is all set to kick-off later today when defending champions Mohun Bagan entertain newly promoted Aizawl FC at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. Lovers of the beautiful game in India will be hoping the I-League in 2016 will be similar to the 2015 season which was one of the most dramatic in recent history.Five time Indian champions Dempo were relegated after a six team slug fest on the penultimate day of the season, before Mohun Bagan nicked a late equalizer to snatch the title away from Bengaluru FC.India’s premier football league returns slightly curtailed after Pune FC and Bharat FC decided to shut up shop, leaving the league with just nine teams. But those involved have left no stone unturned in preparing their sides for the upcoming season which promises to be a lot closer and exciting than seasons gone by.Here we take a look at the SWOT analysis of the top five teams in the I-League.
#1 Mohun Bagan
Defending champions Mohun Bagan ended their long wait for the I-League title in pulsating fashion as they pipped Bengaluru FC to the title with a last gasp goal. However, not all has gone well for Sanjoy Sen’s victors as they were swept aside by arch rivals East Bengal in the Calcutta Football League en-route to their sixth successive local crown.
There have been quite a few departures from the Bagan camp, four of which went straight across the city to East Bengal which included Bagan’s title clinching goal scorer Bello Rasaq and Sehnaj Singh, C.S. Sabeeth and Johnny Raut. However Cornell Glenn, who fired sixteen goals last season has signed for Mohun Bagan along with the big money signing of Pronoy Halder.
StrengthFiery flanks - Sony Norde and Yusa Katsumi were the primary reasons for Mohun Bagan’s triumph last term and once again the duo will be Mohun Bagan’s key weapon this campaign. With Jeje and Cornell Glenn upfront, Mohun Bagan has plenty of goals in them and will require some stopping this season. A solid midfield of Bikramjeet Singh and Pronoy Halder, Mohun Bagan’s attackers will have the platform to express themselves.
WeaknessUncertain Defense – Bello Rasaq’s departure has left a big hole in Mohun Bagan’s defense. However, Luciano Sabrosa’s arrival from Pune FC will pretty much fill that void. But with Raju Gaikwad likely to partner Sabrosa in central defense, Mohun Bagan have plenty of uncertainties at the heart of the defense. The duo of Sabrosa and Gaikwad, who is naturally a full back will have to forge a solid partnership quickly, otherwise Mohun Bagan’s title defense could go for a toss.
OpportunityWith their nearest rivals, Bengaluru FC not strengthening too much, Mohun Bagan have the opportunity to really grab the league by the scruff of its neck and set an early marker. With the kind of fire power at their disposal, Mohun Bagan can get out of sight very quickly.
ThreatIt is never easy to defend a title. Head Coach Sanjoy Sen will have to ensure his team is hungry as ever and fight for every inch. It is easy to get complacent after winning the league in the last term and the Mariners must not let any such complacency creep in. Their neighbours and arch rivals have strengthened substantially and the biggest threat to Mohun Bagan’s crown could come from their wounded enemy.
#2 Bengaluru FC
Bengaluru FC will still be hurting from their agonizing defeat in the I-League last season as they surrendered their crown to Mohun Bagan. Ashley Westwood’s men will be keen to regain their lost title this season and once again will be among the strongest contenders. Bengaluru FC have lost Sean Rooney and Robin Singh upfront but have replaced them with Kim-Seong Young and Seminlen Doungel.
StrengthSettled back-four – The center back pairing of Curtis Osano and John Johnson, flanked by Lallchhuanmawia Fanai and Rino Anto - Bengaluru FC have a settled back four, who have played together for over a season. It’s defences like these that win you titles and Bengaluru FC’s back four is their greatest strength this season.
Weakness Lack of Aerial Threat – With Robin Singh and Sean Rooney in the ranks, Bengaluru FC gave opponents plenty of problems in the air. However with the two strikers gone, Bengaluru FC lacks a big center forward and could struggle for a Plan B sometimes.
OpportunityBengaluru FC’s financial muscle has allowed them to retain majority of the players from last season, which isn’t quite the case for their rivals. Thus Bengaluru FC is a well oiled machine and with most of its parts intact, Ashley Westwood’s men can hit the ground running. A settled squad compared to their rivals, Bengaluru FC can use their stability to their benefit.
ThreatHaving retained most of their players, Bengaluru FC haven’t added much to their side. In contrast, their rivals East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have spent big and brought in many players to enhance their respective sides. This may come to haunt them in the end as their rivals might just have matched Bengaluru FC’s strength.
#3 East Bengal
Tipped by many to win the I-League this season, East Bengal comes into the season on the back of the emphatic triumph in the Calcutta Football League. Under the new management of Biswajit Bhattacharya, East Bengal have been busy in the transfer market and have signed a host of new players which include Bello Rasaq, Sehnaj Singh, Rahul Bheke and Do Dong Hyun which have added great depth to the squad.
StrengthStrong Midfield – East Bengal have perhaps the strongest midfield in the league. Harmanjot Singh Khabra is likely to partner Mehtab Hossain in midfield with the option of Sehnaj Singh available for Bhattacharya. With Ranti Martins as their striker, dominant performances from the East Bengal midfield would see the Nigerian break all kinds of records
Weakness East Bengal only have three foreigners in their ranks and a lack of a top quality foreigner might prove to be their undoing come the end of the season.
OpportunityEast Bengal will be hurting from Mohun Bagan’s title triumph last season and that will serve them added motivation to pick up their first I-League title. The desperation to get one over their arch rivals and snatch the title from their hands could be a huge factor for East Bengal.
ThreatThe East Bengal board isn’t the most patient and is known to take erratic decisions once things start to go wrong. Head Coach Biswajit Bhattacharya was brought in as an ‘Assistant to the Head Coach’, but their performance in the CFL handed Biswajit a permanent role. However, their minds could once again change swiftly if East Bengal struggle at any point in the season and that could see the end of the Head Coach. The erratic nature of the board means there is always a sword hanging over your head.
#4 Mumbai FC
After registering their best ever finish in the I-League last season, Mumbai FC are looking to build on last season’s efforts and push the club higher up the table. Signings like Arata Izumi, Min Chol Son, N.P. Pradeep and Steven Dias shows Mumbai FC have greatly strengthened this season. Going into the season with a big squad, Khalid Jamil’s men will be the dark horses this campaign.
StrengthMumbai’s Cooperage Stadium could prove to be a very hard place to travel for opposition teams. With an artificial turf and heavy winds across the ground, teams will find it very difficult to adapt to the conditions at Cooperage. Despite a meager 5000 capacity, Cooperage is extremely compact and even the 5000 can create an electric atmosphere. The compactness of Cooperage could help Mumbai FC turn it into a fortress.
WeaknessMumbai FC lack depth in the striking and defense department. Apart from Ryuki Kozawa, Mumbai FC don’t have a recognized striker and an injury to the Japanese striker could put Mumbai FC in trouble. Similarly, few injuries in defense, could leave Mumbai FC slightly exposed.
OpportunityVery few are considering Mumbai FC for a top four finish and this underdog status could help Mumbai FC. The ability of getting under the opponent’s skin is something Khalid Jamil has instilled in his troops and the combination of the two could just see Mumbai FC racking up good results to end up higher in the table.
ThreatMumbai FC’s away form could be detrimental to their chances of a top four finish in the I-League this season. Khalid Jamil’s men won just one game away from home last season. Mumbai FC will have to improve results away from home to make a strong challenge at the top of the table.
#5 Salgaocar
Salgaocar appointed Malcolm Thonpson to replace the departed Derrick Pereira as the manager of the club and have made excellent buys from the defunct Royal Wahingdoh. Winger Seityasen Singh and Jackichand Singh are re-united at Salgaocar alongwith Keenan Almeida and Reegan Singh.
StrengthSeityasen Singh-Jackichand Singh partnershipThe partnership of the two Royal Wahingdoh wingers was quite devastating at Royal Wahingdoh last season and Salgaocar will be hoping the duo is able to forge a similar partnership at Salgaocar.
WeaknessDarryl Duffy’s injury would weaken the Salgaocar strike force. A slow start to the season could leave too much to recover for Salgaocar and yet another substandard position in the table. Salgaocar unfortunately don’t have other striking options to fill Duffy’s boots, so his early injury could prove to be problematic for Salgaocar.
OpportunityWith Pune FC and Royal Wahingdoh opting out of the I-League, Salgaocar have a genuine chance of making the top four places. A finish among the elite in the I-League would go really well with the owners who could allow the club to run for at least few more years. Consistent performances will be key for Salgaocar, if they are to break into the top four or three.
ThreatThe attendance figures at Goa last season were quite abysmal. An average attendance figure of 120 isn’t ideal for the players to be motivated. Lack of crowd support could really hamper Salgaocar’s chances at home, which could push them towards relegation if things go wrong. Hopefully we will see more spectators in Goa, who will come out to support Salgaocar as that will pretty much restore Goa’s traditions from yesteryear.
