AFC Cup participants struggle to win the I-League; Can Pune FC buck the trend?

Photo Credit: Pune FC

Pune FC’s hopes of becoming the first Indian club to feature in the AFC Champions League group stage might have ended at the first hurdle but the Red Lizards still have at least six continental matches to look forward as they will now be featuring in the AFC Cup.

This will be their maiden appearance in Asia’s Europa League and it incredibly comes within seven years of the club’s formation. Pune have already become the benchmark for all other I-League clubs because of their professional standards off the pitch but they have been quite consistent on the pitch too as they haven’t finished outside the top five in their previous four top-flight campaigns.

Last season proved to be Pune’s best as they finished runners-up in the I-League and this term they are among the title contenders as well. Despite their poor form since the end of November, Pune remain only six points behind leaders Bengaluru FC and have a game in hand.

Starting February 26, Pune start their AFC Cup campaign, where they have been placed in Group H alongside Nay Pyi Taw (Myanmar), Kitchee (Hong Kong) and Tampines Rovers or Balestier Khalsa (Singapore). It is undoubtedly a proud moment for the club but recent history shows that their appearance in Asia could affect their title challenge.

The inaugural season of the I-League (2007-08) was won by AFC Cup participants Dempo but in that season, the Goan club’s domestic campaign ended before their continental matches. Dempo went on to reach the semi-finals of that edition.

But after that for four straight seasons none of the Indian clubs that took part in the AFC Cup could go on to win the I-League. Churchill Brothers bucked the trend last season by winning their second I-League title despite featuring in the AFC Cup group stage and now it remains to be seen whether Pune can achieve the same.

Here is a table on the struggles of AFC Cup participants in winning the I-League since 2009

AFC Cup edition	Clubs (Final I-League position)
2009	Mohun Bagan (2^nd)Dempo (4^th)
2010	Churchill Brothers (2^nd)East Bengal (10^th)
2011	East Bengal (2^nd)Dempo (3^rd)
2012	East Bengal (2^nd)Salgaocar (6^th)
2013	Churchill Brothers (1^st) East Bengal (3^rd)

Every year India has two representatives in the AFC Cup and in each of the four editions between 2009 and 2012 there was at least one team fighting for the title.

In 2009, Mohun Bagan were on a record-breaking ten-match winning run in the I-League and looked good for the title. But a heavy derby defeat against East Bengal followed by six straight defeats in the AFC Cup affected the team’s form and morale in the domestic league as they missed out on the crown to Churchill Brothers.

The following season Churchill Brothers made their debut appearance in the AFC Cup and fielded full strength sides in each of their four group games and reached the round of 16. But the Red Machines failed to retain the league crown, finishing 11 points behind champions Dempo.

East Bengal made four straight appearances in the AFC Cup between 2010 and 2013. In 2010 they were threatened by relegation but for the next three editions the red-and-gold brigade were favourites for the league crown. Coach Trevor Morgan tried to strike a balance in squad rotation but the constant travelling didn’t help his side’s cause especially in the 2012 edition when they were paired with West Asian clubs and ended up losing all six games. The Kolkata giants made Indian football proud by reaching the semis in 2013 but they couldn’t get the I-League trophy that the fans crave for the most.

While East Bengal won their group without losing a match last year, Churchill Brothers bowed out after finishing third in their group with just four points from six matches. Churchill Brothers’ technical director Subhash Bhowmick clearly prioritised the I-League as key players were left out from the match squads and Bhowmick didn’t even travel with the team for the away games.

It remains to be seen whether Pune FC priortise the I-League or like Churchill Brothers back in 2010 give importance to the continent’s second-tier competition as it will be their first-ever appearance. But Mike Snoei’s side clearly have a great chance of winning not only the club’s first league crown but also the first major trophy so fans possibly won’t mind poor results in the AFC Cup as long as they win the I-League.

Going a little further back in history gives Pune FC hope as during the National Football League (NFL) era, AFC Cup participants ended up winning the domestic league three times. But it’s worth noting (see list below) that only one of those three champions also made it past the group stage.

Edition	Clubs	Domestic League Finish	AFC Cup Finish

2004	East Bengal	Champions	Quarter-finals
2004	Mahindra	Third Place	Group Stage

2005	East Bengal	Third Place	Group Stage
2005	Dempo	Champions	Group Stage

2006	Mahindra	Champions	Group Stage
2006	Dempo	Fifth Place	Group Stage

2007	Mahindra	Third Place	Quarter-finals
2007	Mohun Bagan	Eighth Place	Group Stage

Clearly it’s difficult to both win the I-League and progress to the knockout stage of the AFC Cup and considering that Pune have a young squad, Snoei might have to give importance to only one tournament.

India’s other representatives Churchill Brothers are still in danger of relegation but the Federation Cup triumph will give them confidence for the rest of the season so maybe they can do well in the continental competition as well. The I-League holders will also be encouraged by the fact that no AFC Cup participant from India has been relegated from the top flight with Mohun Bagan (2006-07) and East Bengal (2010-11) narrowly avoiding the drop in the past.