I-League: Round 13 Preview – At the halfway stage

Overview

Round 13 marks the halfway point of the Airtel I-League as following this round of matches, nine of the 13 teams will complete 50% of their campaign. But still we are left with more questions than answers as only ten points separates the top eleven. No club has looked certain of winning the title and there are several teams who could get relegated. For the neutrals, one can only hope that this competitiveness and unpredictability lasts for the second half of the season also.

As per the current league table, newcomers Bengaluru FC are the leaders with a two-point advantage over Pune FC, who have a game in hand. If Salgaocar get punished for fielding unregistered players in two matches, Pune FC will gain two more points. But for now at least Bengaluru FC are the outright leaders and thus it will be top against bottom in the round’s opening match later today as Churchill Brothers entertain Bengaluru.

Irrespective of their registration mishap, Salgaocar have been in poor form of late as they are winless in their last four matches which include successive defeats. The Goan outfit face a tough away test in this matchday against Lajong in Shillong and will be determined to take all three points or else they will lose further ground in the title race.

Pune FC’s immaculate home record was dented in the last round as they were held to a 1-1 draw by United SC despite going in front. They host Mumbai FC in the Maharashtra derby and their opponents Mumbai are set to be boosted with another IMG-Reliance loanee in Sandesh Jhingan.

The arrival of the IMG-R players in the I-League has made a significant difference to bottom half of the table as besides Mumbai, Shillong’s Rangdajied United are also looking stronger and they moved out of the bottom spot for the first time after winning 2-0 away at Mohun Bagan last weekend. This round Rangdajied host East Bengal, who despite having the best squad have already dropped 13 points in eight matches. The red-and-gold brigade are desperate for a win but Rangdajied won’t be any pushovers.

East Bengal’s arch-rivals Mohun Bagan could also do with a victory after failing to win their last five but the Mariners face a tough challenge against fifth-placed United SC. Five-time record champions Dempo also need three points to get back into the title mix but they have a Goan derby to look forward to against one of the surprise packages of the season, Sporting Clube, who are currently only three points off the top.

Fixtures

Friday: Churchill Brothers vs Bengaluru FC (15:30, LIVE on Ten Action); Shillong Lajong vs Salgaocar (17:00); Mohun Bagan vs United SC (17:30, LIVE on Ten Action)

Saturday: Sporting Clube vs Dempo (15:30, LIVE on Ten Action); Rangdajied United vs East Bengal (17:00); Pune FC vs Mumbai FC (18:00, LIVE on Ten Action)

Game of the round

Mohun Bagan vs United SC

Last week’s defeat to Rangdajied put Mohun Bagan back in crisis as they have picked only three points from a possible 15 and scored only once in that period. Skipper Odafa Okolie is yet to score this season despite playing three full matches and all that has increased the pressure on coach Karim Bencherifa. As a result three players including Kenyan Eric Muranda has been released with Nigerian Christopher Chizoba being signed as the fourth foreigner.

Chizoba is available for this derby clash against United SC and Bencherifa’s side would have to produce their best performance of the season to win because the purple shirts have been very difficult to play against and are very much in the title race unlike the other Kolkata sides. United SC not only have six points more than the Mariners but recent history is also on their side as they are unbeaten in the last six I-League meetings, winning four of them.

The sides have already met once this season in the Calcutta Football League with the game ending goalless. That scoreline remains a high possibility in this fixture also as Mohun Bagan have the worst offensive record with just six goals while United SC also haven’t been at their free flowing best with star striker Ranti Martins managing just four goals in 11 appearances.

A win for Mohun Bagan could potentially change their season while a defeat will add to their woes and keep them in the battle for survival. United SC on the other hand have the chance to show that they can be genuine title contenders by getting all three points but they have drawn both their previous two Kolkata derbies in this campaign.

Players to watch out for

Foreigner: Ranti Martins (United SC)

There is no doubt that Ranti has underperformed so far this season but much of it is down to the lack of service from his teammates. The Nigerian will be determined to get back among the goals in this match and inspire United SC to a win.

Indian: Balwant Singh (Churchill Brothers)

Balwant is no longer the outright highest Indian scorer as India skipper Sunil Chhetri also has four goals now. But the India under-23 international has been one of the better performers for rock-bottom Churchill Brothers and he would be looking to produce another strong display against Bengaluru.