I-League: Round 22 Preview – Another away test for Bengaluru

Photo Credit: Bengaluru FC

Overview

There is a full round of fixtures this weekend with 12 teams in action and plenty to play for at both ends of the table. The action kicks off later today with two fixtures in Goa. Salgaocar entertain United SC at the Tilak Maidan, Vasco and are looking for their sixth straight win, which would close the gap at the top to just one point. United SC on the other hand are winless in ten games and thus desperately need to at least avoid defeat in order to boost their survival chances. On the same day Dempo host relegation-threatened Mohammedan Sporting at the Nehru Stadium in Fatorda, Margao. The black and whites too won’t be too disappointed if they can manage to get a point away from home but a win would be massive.

East Bengal take on Rangdajied United in Sunday’s early kickoff and both teams need maximum points for different reasons. The red-and-gold brigade are struggling to even challenge for the title but the three games in hand gives them a glimmer of hope. The Kolkata giants though have several injury worries and Rangdajied would be aiming to capitalsie on that. The Shillong club have recorded a hattrick of home wins but need some points on their travels too to be assured of survival. Any slip-up from Rangdajied could see them get overtaken by Mohun Bagan but the Mariners have a tough away assignment against Sporting Clube, who need a victory to stay in the title race after failing to win their last four games.

League leaders Bengaluru have another tough away test against Shillong Lajong and don’t have happy memories of their last trip to Shillong as they were beaten 3-2 by Rangdajied. Bengaluru have won only four of their eight away games so far and still have three more away fixtures to come after this. However Ashley Westwood’s side would be looking to build on their away win over United SC in Kalyani and edge closer to a remarkable title triumph on their debut season. Lajong have home advantage again after four consecutive away fixtures and they have won their last two home matches. Pune FC would hoping for a favour from Lajong but the Red Lizards must also win their away game against rock-bottom Churchill Brothers to maintain their title challenge.

Fixtures

Saturday: Salgaocar vs United SC (17:00; LIVE on Ten Action), Dempo vs Mohammedan Sporting (18:00)

Sunday: East Bengal vs Rangdajied United (15:00), Churchill Brothers vs Pune FC (17:00), Shillong Lajong vs Bengaluru FC (17:00), Sporting Clube vs Mohun Bagan (17:00; LIVE on Ten Action)

Game of the round

Churchill Brothers vs Pune FC

India’s two current AFC Cup representatives go head-to-head in a vital encounter at the Tilak Maidan. Both sides have got a lot of international exposure in the last two weeks but have endured contrasting fortunes. Churchill made the most of their homed advantage and recorded wins over Maldives’ New Radiant and Singapore’s Home United but Pune only picked up a point from their two away games against Kitchee from Hong Kong and Singapore champions Tampines Rovers. Both sides have their work cut out in the remaining three matchdays in order to reach the AFC Cup round of 16 but each team has completely different targets in the I-League.

Churchill Brothers currently occupy the one relegation spot but have games in hand over all five of their nearest rivals. The Red Machines though need to pick up points quickly in order to move further away from the drop zone and avoid the ultimate embarrassment of getting relegated while being defending champions. Meanwhile, Pune can still dream about winning the title as they trail Bengaluru by seven with a game in hand and face the leaders next week. Churchill Brothers and Pune have met two times already this season with Mike Snoei’s side winning the I-League encounter 1-0 while the Goan club won 3-2 in the Federation Cup tie.

It remains to be seen what effects those midweek games have on the sides and Pune are more likely to be fatigued as they have done a lot of travelling in the last 11 days with this being their third straight away game. Churchill Brothers look stronger with their new foreign additions and India internationals Denzil Franco and Lenny Rodrigues were not in action in midweek while Balwant Singh capped his return from injury with a brilliant goal. However Pune have been resilient in recent weeks as they have been very difficult to beat but Snoei’s side have drawn plenty of games and thus need a bit more quality to convert those stalemates into wins. This clash could go either way and promises to be an entertaining contest.

Players to watch out for

Foreigner: Ranti Martins (Rangdajied United)

The Nigerian has scored in his first three games for Rangdajied and he would be aiming to make it four in a row as the Shillong club need to get a result away from home also.

Indian: Sunil Chhetri (Bengaluru FC)

The India captain scored in his first-ever game in Shillong at the start of this month against Rangdajied but his side lost that game. Sunil would be looking to get on the scoresheet again and this time inspire Bengaluru to victory.