I-League: Round 5 Preview – Top spot up for grabs
Overview
Pune FC could go top in this round
Photo Credit: AIFF Media
Airtel I-League returns after a week with six games in this round. While most domestic leagues around the world were not in action at the weekend due to the international break, I-League clubs had a breather due to the Durga Puja, Dussehra and Id celebrations. Neither the Indian national team nor any of the foreign players were in action in internationals so club coaches didn’t have to worry at all about getting players back fresh from international duty.
This round provides the chance for three teams to go level on points with league leaders Bengaluru FC, who won’t be in action, and maybe even go top if they get the right result. Both Salgaocar and Pune FC need a two-goal margin victory to overtake Bengaluru on goal difference but each side face a tricky test.
Salgaocar will be playing their first game outside Goa against Mumbai FC in Pune with the aim of maximum points after throwing away the lead in the 1-1 stalemate with local rivals Dempo in the last round. Pune FC will enjoy home comforts again against winless defending champions Churchill Brothers, who are now looking to bring back Subhash Bhowmick after the resignation of technical director Sukhwinder Singh. The former India coach resigned citing the poor start of the team as the Red Machines have two points after four games.
Sukhwinder Singh has resigned as Churchill Brothers technical director
Another club that could go top in this round is sponsorless United Sports Club, albeit having played a game more than Bengaluru FC. After winning their first two matches at home, the purple shirts picked up just a point in their last two away fixtures and this weekend they are on their travels again as they face Lajong in Shillong. United SC’s Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie will serve the second of his two-match touchline ban but his team could be the new league leaders if they register a two-goal margin victory in Shillong.
Struggling Kolkata giants Mohun Bagan and Mohammedan Sporting will also be determined for their first win of the season. Mohun Bagan will play their first home match of this campaign against Sporting Clube and their skipper and talisman Odafa Okolie could finally return from injury.
Mohammedan Sporting are away at newly-promoted Shillong outfit Rangdajied United, which looks an easy fixture on paper but actually isn’t as Rangdajied were full value for their draws against Dempo and Churchill Brothers in the previous two home games.
The round starts on Thursday with AFC Cup semi-finalists East Bengal hosting winless Dempo in Kalyani. This fixture was put forward by two days due to East Bengal’s AFC Cup semi-final second leg against Kuwait SC on Tuesday. The red-and-gold brigade will be looking to go into that historic clash with six points from two I-League games.
Fixtures
Thursday: East Bengal vs Dempo (14:30, LIVE on Ten Action)
Friday: Mumbai FC vs Salgaocar (16:00)
Saturday: Shillong Lajong vs United (15:30); Mohun Bagan vs Sporting Clube (17:00; LIVE on Ten Action); Pune FC vs Churchill Brothers (19:00; LIVE on Ten Action)
Sunday: Rangdajied United vs Mohammedan Sporting (15:30)