CFL 2018: Calcutta Football League set to get underway in July
What's the story?
The City of Joy and football have been synonymous with each other ever since one can remember. One of Asia'a oldest football leagues, the Calcutta Football League is all set to grip Kolkata once again, with the official dates being released.
The League will commence on July 18, 2018, 12 teams will be participating in the event.
In case you didn't know...
The Calcutta Football League is a football league system that sees the various clubs of Kolkata competing against each other. Following the 7-tier pyramid system, the CFL 2018 is the 119th season of the Calcutta Premier Division. This year, the local teams will clash to bag the title from the defending champions East Bengal.
The heart of the matter
Kolkatans can now gear up for the much awaited season of the CFL with barely 2 and a half months remaining. Mohammaden Sporting Club, Mohun Bagan and East Bengal will play their matches on their respective home turfs, while the derbies will be held at the Yuvabharati Krirangan in Salt Lake.
"The fixtures are yet to be decided, but we have narrowed down on July 18 as an indicative date for the start of the CFL," IFA secretary Utpal Ganguly said to Sportskeeda.
Kolkata's biggest clash between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan is likely to take place towards the end of September. East Bengal won their eighth consecutive title last year and it will be interesting to see the biggest football rivals being pitted against each other.
This year Mohun Bagan have four overseas players amongst its new registrations. These include the likes of Henry Kisekka, Dipanda Dicka Yuta Kinowaki and Eze Kingsley. The foreigners who will adorn the red and gold colours are Kassim Aidara and Mahmoud Al-Amna. Katsumi Yusa, however, will be skipping this season and will make a comeback for the I-League to rejoin East Bengal.
What's next?
With neither East Bengal nor Mohun Bagan being able to win any trophies on national level, the onus will be on the two giants yet again, to tune up their performances in the CFL, which promises to be an interesting affair.
Author's take
Everybody is aware of the spirit of Kolkata when it comes to their football and the upcoming CFL is sure to witness fan frenzy at its peak once again. We have already seen packed stadiums during the CFL matches, and we expect nothing less this time either.