I-League: The contrasting fortunes of Mohammedan Sporting and United Sikkim

On April 17 2012, United Sikkim and Mohammedan Sporting clashed in front of crowd of 15,000, which included Sikkim chief minister Pawan Chamling, at Gangtok’s Paljor Stadium. It was an I-League second division encounter to decide the last remaining slot for the 2012-13 I-League, with the Sikkim club only needing a point while Mohammedan Sporting simply had to win it.

United Sikkim, a club co-owned by Bhaichung Bhutia, in the end managed a 1-1 draw with the former India captain playing the final 20 minutes. The result saw the Sikkim club qualify for the I-League for the very first time, and thus it was a dream come true for Bhaichung and the entire north-eastern state.

But for Mohammedan Sporting, it was simply heartbreaking and once again the century-old club missed out from the top flight of Indian football after being relegated in the 2008-09 season. To add insult to injury, coach Aloke Mukherjee talked about a conspiracy against his side stating that United Sikkim had been getting favourable refereeing decisions throughout the second division campaign, including that face-off in Gangtok where Mohammedan Sporting had conceded from a penalty.

The two clubs were clearly headed in different decisions but 12 months on, there has been a turnaround in the fortunes as Mohammedan Sporting are on the verge of returning to the I-League, while United Sikkim have been relegated.

On Sunday April 21 2013, United Sikkim lost 3-0 against Sporting Clube in Gangtok and the result confirmed that the Sikkim club couldn’t mathematically get out of the bottom two. Meanwhile in Bangalore, Mohammedan Sporting defeated Mumbai Tigers 2-0 to go four points clear at the top of the second division table, and they now need just a point from their final two matches to confirm promotion.

The revival of a giant

Coach Sanjoy Sen has been instrumental in Mohammedan Sporting’s revival

Founded in 1891, Mohammedan Sporting are one of the most popular and successful clubs in Indian football history. In the pre-Independence era, they are were not just a sports institution but an inspiration to the whole nation as they broke the British monopoly and became the first Indian club to win the Durand Cup in 1941.

But the club hasn’t seen too many glory days since the 1980s and have found themselves in the second tier for four years now. After a campaign of ups and downs under Aloke Mukherjee, the Kolkata club decided to hire Sanjoy Sen before the I-League second division, and that decision has certainly paid dividends.

Under Sen, Mohammedan Sporting topped their group in the first phase without losing a single game and in the six-team final phase, they have been by far the most consistent club and are now ever closer to the I-League. With 17 points in eight games, Mohammedan Sporting need a draw in any of their last two matches but could qualify even before playing their next match, if other results go their way.

The black-and-whites have some talented foreigners in Alfred Jaryan, Younes Baltham and Wie Hyo-Jun but the additions of Jagpreet Singh and Jerry Zirsanga have also been important. However, the real strength of this Mohammedan Sporting side has been their teamwork and organisation as they have conceded only three goals.

Improvements have to be made in this squad to do well in the I-League, but for now this set of players and coach Sen must be credited as this great club are now on the brink of I-League promotion.

Harsh lesson for the debutants

United Sikkim (in orange) have been relegated in their debut I-League campaign (Photo Credit: AIFF Media)

The contrast in the histories of United Sikkim and Mohammedan Sporting couldn’t have been more different as the Sikkim club was founded only in 2008. But the club came into prominence in March 2011 when Bhaichung Bhutia became one of its co-owners and so to qualify for the I-League within a year was certainly commendable.

However, being on a shoe-string budget, the club couldn’t add much quality in their squad for the I-League and instead built a very young team that not only had players lacking I-League experience, but also some who were playing professional football for the first time.

The start was encouraging however, as they defeated former champions Salgaocar 3-2 and only lost to a late goal against East Bengal in their second game. But the gulf in class became completely evident when they were embarrassed 10-1 by Prayag United and that result also confirmed the removal of Belgain Philippe de Ridder as head coach.

Bhaichung Bhutia was in charge for a while before Australian Nathan Hall was appointed. The young coach was always going to find it difficult with a young squad and even the addition of a few foreigners in the winter window couldn’t change their fortunes. Their only win under Hall came in March against Air India, but the 7-0 and 9-0 hammerings against Dempo and Salgaocar respectively once again reminded of the lack of quality in their squad.

Relegation might just be the right thing for United Sikkim, like it was for fellow north-east club Shillong Lajong, as the club will get a chance to rebuild confidence and come back stronger with a better idea of what is needed to survive in the Indian top flight.