I-League: Round 26 Review – Churchill Brothers survive at Mohammedan Sporting’s expense
Overview
Photo Credit: AIFF Media
Churchill Brothers have created a new unwanted record of being the worst-ever defending champions but the Goan club wouldn’t mind as they defeated Salgaocar 2-1 to ensure their I-League survival at the expense of Mohammedan Sporting. Although the games involving the two sides didn’t take simultaneously, the competitiveness of the league remained until the very last minute of the season as Churchill Brothers had to hold on to their slender lead against Salgaocar. Churchill Brothers were under pressure to win following Mohammedan Sporting’s 2-1 away victory against Mumbai FC on Sunday and the two-time I-League champions showed the same character and resilience, which has seen them excel in cup competitions this season, to avoid the embarrassment of relegation.
Besides the battle for survival, second place was also up for grabs and East Bengal grabbed it with a 3-0 victory over United SC. Salgaocar’s defeat would have in any case guaranteed the runners-up spot for East Bengal but with the matches kicking off at the same time, the red-and-gold brigade couldn’t have taken anything for granted. Armando Colaco’s side weren’t at their best but were clinical in front of goal. The Kolkata club have gone a decade without the league title but have now finished runners-up in three of the last four seasons. The top scorer accolade was also unresolved going into the final round of games and in the end it was jointly shared by Salgaocar’s Darryl Duffy and Bengaluru skipper Sunil Chhetri.
Sunil failed to score and thus couldn’t surpass Bhaichung Bhutia’s 17-year-old record of scoring 14 in one season but Bengaluru still managed a come-from-behind victory away at Sporting Clube to end their dream debut campaign in style. Bengaluru finished with an incredible record of winning each of their four away matches in Goa. Mohun Bagan also ended the campaign on a high as they beat Shillong Lajong 2-1. More than the result, the performance of the Mariners stood out as they produced a great attacking display in Karim Bencherifa’s last game of his second spell at the club. Dempo’s young team outshone Mohun Bagan though as they recorded a comfortable 3-0 victory away at Pune FC to finish fourth in the table.
It wasn’t the most exciting final round in I-League history but there was plenty of entertainment with as many as 18 goals in six matches and thus was a fitting end to a highly competitive league campaign.
Results
Mohun Bagan 2-1 Shillong Lajong; Mumbai FC 1-2 Mohammedan Sporting; Salgaocar 1-2 Churchill Brothers; East Bengal 3-0 United SC; Sporting Clube 1-2 Bengaluru FC; Pune FC 0-3 Dempo
Game & Result of the round
Salgaocar 1-2 Churchill Brothers
Photo Credit: Churchill Brothers
Churchill Brothers had a strange buildup to this game as in the I-League they had dropped to the rock-bottom position following the home defeat to United SC last week and Mohammedan Sporting’s win against Mumbai FC on Sunday. On the other hand, the Federation Cup holders had made Indian football proud last midweek by reaching the knockout stage of the AFC Cup. However that Federation Cup triumph and progressing to the AFC Cup round of 16 would be meaningless if they had failed to survive in the I-League. Mohammedan had beaten an under-strength Mumbai FC side that had nothing to play for but Churchill Brothers were up against a much stronger Salgaocar team that could still finish second.
With Egyptian midfielder Abdelhamid Shabana suspended, Churchill Brothers coach Mariano Dias could start with only one foreigner in Anthony Wolfe while his counterpart Derrick Pereira had four foreign imports in the eleven. But this calendar year, Churchill Brothers had shown a special resilience in the Federation Cup and AFC Cup against much fancied opponents. That was down to playing without any fear and perhaps Dias advised his players to have the same approach. Whatever was said in the pre-match teamtalk worked as Churchill Brothers won an early penalty. Salgaocor custodian Karanjit Singh saved Wolfe’s spot-kick but defender Agustin Fernandes inadvertently put the ball into his own net to give Churchill the lead.
The Red Machines got a bit lucky when they most needed it but the lead didn’t last long as Duffy equalised. After that the game was a complete end-to-end contest with both keepers being kept busy. Churchill Brothers custodian Lalit Thapa was called into action more often than Karanjit and he came up with the goods to keep his side in the game. Then Balwant Singh netted the all-important second for Churchill to make it 16 goals in all competitions. Salgaocar never gave up and kept looking for the equaliser until the very end with the match also having a stoppage due to a problem with the floodlights at the Tilak Maidan. But Churchill Brothers maintained their focus and got the victory they desperately needed.
The survival could eventually avoid the disbandment of Churchill Brothers but they still must await their fate in the AIFF meeting next month where the licensing results will be announced. Each club will require a license to play in next season’s I-League and as per reports Churchill Brothers and Rangdajied United are in danger of missing out. But Churchill Brothers have certainly survived as per the league table while Mohammedan Sporting are set to return to the second division. Instead of accepting their own mistakes in team building and not paying players on time, the club management still want to challenge the AIFF’s decision of allowing ex-player Tolgay Ozbey to play against them. Mohammedan Sporting have made a formal appeal again but it won’t really make any difference. The famous old club might have won the Durand Cup and IFA Shield this term but won’t be in the top flight next season.
Best Players
Foreigner – Zohib Islam Amiri (Dempo)
The Afghanistan captain has been instrumental in Dempo’s improvement in the second half of the season and he ended the campaign with a match-winning brace against Pune to help Dempo finish fourth.
Indian – Balwant Singh (Churchill Brothers)
The India international once again stepped up when his club needed him the most as he scored the winner against Salgaocar to keep Churchill Brothers in the I-League. Surely a move to a bigger club in the summer awaits Balwant now.
Table
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | GD |
| Bengaluru FC (Champions) | 24 | 14 | 5 | 5 | 47 | +14 |
| East Bengal | 24 | 12 | 7 | 5 | 43 | +16 |
| Salgaocar | 24 | 11 | 6 | 7 | 39 | +11 |
| Dempo | 24 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 35 | +6 |
| Sporting Clube | 24 | 9 | 7 | 8 | 34 | 0 |
| Shillong Lajong | 24 | 8 | 9 | 7 | 33 | -2 |
| Pune FC | 24 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 29 | -4 |
| Mohun Bagan | 24 | 6 | 10 | 8 | 28 | -1 |
| Mumbai FC | 24 | 5 | 13 | 6 | 28 | -1 |
| United SC | 24 | 5 | 11 | 8 | 26 | -10 |
| Churchill Brothers | 24 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 25 | -12 |
| Rangdajied United | 24 | 6 | 7 | 11 | 25 | -9 |
| Mohammedan Sporting (Relegated) | 24 | 6 | 6 | 12 | 24 | -8 |