I-League: Round 2 Preview – LIVE telecast begins
Overview
Airtel I-League set for some telecast this weekend (Photo Credit: AIFF Media)
Although the I-League started last week something significant was missing – telecast. ‘Airtel’ was roped in as the title sponsor on the eve of the opening weekend but none of the six matches was telecasted much to the frustration of Indian football followers. But more than that, the league lost a big chance to create new fans as generally there is a big buzz around the start of anything new. One doesn’t need to be a rocket scientist to know that there is a big pool of young audience out there who want to watch Indian football but just don’t get exposed enough due to the lack of promotion and coverage and that remained the case for the start of the 2013-14 season as well.
But as they say ‘better late than ever’ and the I-League will finally have its first televised game this weekend. In fact, two games will be LIVE on Ten Action but still there are a lot of complaints regarding the lack of buildup with limited promos about the new season. With regular exposure to several European leagues, fans have a tendency nowadays to compare coverage and that will be the case while the two matches are telecasted this weekend.
Interestingly, the players and coaches too have been lamenting about the lack of coverage but now that it is sorted, they have important points to play for with some teams looking to build up some momentum while others want to bounce back after disappointing results on matchday one.
In Shillong, Lajong and Pune FC meet in an early top of the table clash while in Bangalore there is the battle of debutants Bengaluru FC and Rangdajied United. Five-time record champions Dempo will be aiming to recover from the 0-3 thumping they suffered at home against Lajong by getting maximum points against Mumbai FC, who still have to play their home matches in Pune. Financially handicapped and sponsor-less, United SC will look to build on their opening round win when they host Sporting Clube.
Defending champions Churchill Brothers entertain Mohun Bagan in the only game on Saturday with both teams looking to get their first win of the season while Salgaocar is the odd one out in this round (just a reminder that at least one team won’t be in action every round as the league has odd number of teams). While East Bengal still have to wait another week for their first I-League match as their game against Mohammedan Sporting this weekend was postponed due to their AFC Cup semi-final first leg against Kuwait SC on Tuesday.
So with telecast back, no more excuses football fans, you have two live Indian football matches to look forward to.
Fixtures
Saturday: Churchill Brothers vs Mohun Bagan (16:00)
Sunday: United Sports vs Sporting Clube de Goa (15:00); Shillong Lajong vs Pune (15:30); Bengaluru FC vs Rangdajied United (16:00); Mumbai FC vs Dempo (16:00)
Televised matches in bold (LIVE on Ten Action)
Game of the round
Churchill Brothers vs Mohun Bagan
Although the season is only one round old, both these clubs are not far away from a crisis. If the negative publicity of not paying their players on time wasn’t enough, both Churchill Brothers and Mohun Bagan have now also endured disappointing starts to their I-League campaign.
I-League holders Churchill Brothers were beaten 1-0 by local rivals Salgaocar and more than the result, the problems were highlighted in the team sheet of the Red Machines. With Gabon international Henri Antchouet injured and Syrian forward Ahmad Al Kaddour having only signed a few days before the game, technical director Sukhwinder Singh fielded the pairing of Jasion Vales and Bineesh Balan upfront. Both those players are highly talented but won’t help a side to challenge for the title.