kolkata football league results
With East Bengal on song and Chirag on a high following their Durand victory, Kolkata can hope for better results in this I-League.
The last few years have seen Goa emerge as the stronghold of Indian football, with clubs like Dempo and Churchill Brothers ruling the roost. This year may paint a new picture with a possible redemption for the Kolkata clubs.
East Bengal lead the pack of Kolkata clubs having been in their devastating best, barring an aberrant loss in the Durand semifinal. The club under the tutelage of British manager Trevor James Morgan were on a 18-match winning streak.
The team that was in the relegation dogfight last season are back in the reckoning by playing aggressive football this season. The Red and Gold brigade have already won the Federation Cup and are inching closer to win the Calcutta Football League.
Youngsters like Robin Singh, Sanju Pradhan, Vashum, Naoba Singh have linked well with the brilliant foreign imports - Tolgay Ozbey, Penn Orji and Ekene Ikenwa to make EB one of the favourites to win the I-League title that has eluded them since 2004.
The three-time champions will also get the services of national team players like Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Rahim Nabi and the Sikkimese sniper Bhaichung Bhutia, little late into the league.
However, East Bengal’s bench strength is a suspect. This was proved in the Durand semifinal when they lost to Chirag United, playing with a depleted side.
The other biggie and East Bengal's archrivals Mohun Bagan have had a mellowed start to their campaign but have the ammunition to go the distance.
They perhaps have the best forward line in Jose Ramirez Barreto, Chidi Edeh and Subair Muritala Ali. Although, Barreto is no longer a spring- chicken, he is still dangerous inside the box. Chidi and Muritala have been in good goal scoring form this season. The only problem however with Chidi is he is injury prone.
Bagan also have a decent midfield with skipper Ishfaq Ahmed, Snehasish Chakrabarty and Surkumar Singh. However, Bagan will miss Singh’s trademark runs across the flanks, owing to national duty, for the initial part of the tournament.
A good tactician in Stanley Rozario only adds up to the advantage, who took Shillong Lajong to unprecedented heights, making them Fed Cup runners in 2009.
Meanwhile, Chirag United have risen through the ranks in recent years. The club may not have had overnight results and dazzling performances but has shown a gradual development.
From finishing second in Calcutta Football League in the 2009-10 season to winning the Durand Cup this year on debut, Subrata Bhattacharya’s men have seen their share of glory.
Bhattacharya has an extremely young team at hand, which at the same time is talented and immature. This team expected to perform well in shorter tournaments like Durand or Federation Cup. But maintaining that consistency in a long I-League will be difficult.
However, the third force from Kolkata will not be mere pushovers, and will give a tough time to other teams in their home games, certain to pull off a few upsets.
The good thing…all three clubs are looking good ahead of the most important tournament in Indian football, which off late has become a Goan hegemony. However, this year the league will surely break the jinx of predictability.
East Bengal are definitely the best bet from Kolkata, a genuine title-contender. The only problem is perhaps they have peaked a little early.
Mohun Bagan can be the surprise team this year, and a top-three finish is definitely on the cards. Chirag will have to fight it out for a top-five finish.
This year might just see Kolkata clubs redeeming their lost pride!
The last few years have seen Goa emerge as the stronghold of Indian football, with clubs like Dempo and Churchill Brothers ruling the roost. This year may paint a new picture with a possible redemption for the Kolkata clubs.
East Bengal lead the pack of Kolkata clubs having been in their devastating best, barring an aberrant loss in the Durand semifinal. The club under the tutelage of British manager Trevor James Morgan were on a 18-match winning streak.
The team that was in the relegation dogfight last season are back in the reckoning by playing aggressive football this season. The Red and Gold brigade have already won the Federation Cup and are inching closer to win the Calcutta Football League.
Youngsters like Robin Singh, Sanju Pradhan, Vashum, Naoba Singh have linked well with the brilliant foreign imports - Tolgay Ozbey, Penn Orji and Ekene Ikenwa to make EB one of the favourites to win the I-League title that has eluded them since 2004.
The three-time champions will also get the services of national team players like Mehrajuddin Wadoo, Rahim Nabi and the Sikkimese sniper Bhaichung Bhutia, little late into the league.
However, East Bengal’s bench strength is a suspect. This was proved in the Durand semifinal when they lost to Chirag United, playing with a depleted side.
The other biggie and East Bengal's archrivals Mohun Bagan have had a mellowed start to their campaign but have the ammunition to go the distance.
They perhaps have the best forward line in Jose Ramirez Barreto, Chidi Edeh and Subair Muritala Ali. Although, Barreto is no longer a spring- chicken, he is still dangerous inside the box. Chidi and Muritala have been in good goal scoring form this season. The only problem however with Chidi is he is injury prone.
Bagan also have a decent midfield with skipper Ishfaq Ahmed, Snehasish Chakrabarty and Surkumar Singh. However, Bagan will miss Singh’s trademark runs across the flanks, owing to national duty, for the initial part of the tournament.
A good tactician in Stanley Rozario only adds up to the advantage, who took Shillong Lajong to unprecedented heights, making them Fed Cup runners in 2009.
Meanwhile, Chirag United have risen through the ranks in recent years. The club may not have had overnight results and dazzling performances but has shown a gradual development.
From finishing second in Calcutta Football League in the 2009-10 season to winning the Durand Cup this year on debut, Subrata Bhattacharya’s men have seen their share of glory.
Bhattacharya has an extremely young team at hand, which at the same time is talented and immature. This team expected to perform well in shorter tournaments like Durand or Federation Cup. But maintaining that consistency in a long I-League will be difficult.
However, the third force from Kolkata will not be mere pushovers, and will give a tough time to other teams in their home games, certain to pull off a few upsets.
The good thing…all three clubs are looking good ahead of the most important tournament in Indian football, which off late has become a Goan hegemony. However, this year the league will surely break the jinx of predictability.
East Bengal are definitely the best bet from Kolkata, a genuine title-contender. The only problem is perhaps they have peaked a little early.
Mohun Bagan can be the surprise team this year, and a top-three finish is definitely on the cards. Chirag will have to fight it out for a top-five finish.
This year might just see Kolkata clubs redeeming their lost pride!
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