I-League - Round 2: Some real surprises

The second Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on Tuesday and Wednesday (December 7/8) across India with a number of surprises as Salgaocar SC, Mumbai FC, HAL and East Bengal are top of the league table with an all win record after two matches.


Round 2 Match by Match Short Review
07-Dec-2010: Salgaocar SC 4-3 (2-1) Chirag United SC (in Goa)
Salgaocar SC won a seven goal thriller against Chirag United SC at the Nehru Stadium in Goa. And it means six points from the first couple of matches for the Goans, while Chirag United lost their first game of the league.
Salgaocar's goals came through a double strike from youngster Gilbert Oliveira, Japanese Ryuji Sueoka and Anthony Barbosa; while Brazilian Josimar da Silva Martins, Denson Devadas and Nigerian Elijah Obagbemiro Junior netted for Chirag United.

07-Dec-2010: JCT 1-1 (1-0) Churchill Brothers SC (in Gurgaon)
JCT were held to a one-all draw by Churchill Brothers SC in Gurgaon. The Millmen from Punjab were the better side in the first session and deserving took the lead through India Junior's striker Balwant Singh, but like on match day one it was Odafe Onyeka Okolie who equalised for the Goans.

07-Dec-2010: Air India 1-1 (1-1) Viva Kerala (in Kolhapur)
I-League minnows Air India and Viva Kerala played out a one-all draw in Kolhapur to open their points account in this seasons league. Viva Kerala took an early lead through C.S. Sabeeth, but the Airmen could equalise in the first half itself through former international Manjit Singh. It remained 1-1 until the end of the match.

08-Dec-2010: Mohun Bagan AC 1-2 (1-1) HAL, Bangalore (in Kolkata)
Former national league champions Mohun Bagan AC suffered a shock 1-2 defeat at the hands of newcomers HAL from Bangalore at home at the Saltlake Stadium in Kolkata. HAL, one of the top candidates for relegation, now have six points from two matches.
HAl took a surprise lead in the 23th minute through Bijesh Kumar while seasoned Jose Ramirez Barreto equalised for Mohun Bagan on the half hour mark, but J. Muralidharan would score the winner in the 80th minute for the Airmen.

08-Dec-2010: AIFF XI 1-1 (0-1) ONGC (in Gurgaon)
The AIFF XI and ONGC both earned their first ever point in the I-League from a one-all draw between the two sides in Gurgaon. The Oilmen took the lead just after the breather through their Nigerian striker Badmus Babthunde, while Jeje Lalpekhlua equalised for the India Juniors.

08-Dec-2010: Dempo SC 0-1 (0-0) East Bengal Club (in Goa)
Only a week after losing against Dempo SC in the Super Cup final in Gurgaon, East Bengal took revenge against the Goan giants with a 1-0 away win in the I-League. Once more Australian striker Tolgey Ozbey was the match winner for the Kolkata giants as he scored the winner in the second session for East Bengal's second win, while Dempo remain without a win after two matches.

08-Dec-2010: Mumbai FC 2-0 (1-0) Pune FC (in Kolhapur)
Mumbai FC overcame Pune FC 2-0 in a Maharashtra derby to win their second I-League game in as many matches, while Pune FC stay without a win. Sampath Kumar Kuttimani gave Mumbai FC a 19th minute lead, while Pune FC's Gurjinder Singh scored an own goal after the break in an interesting encounter.


Click here for the 4th I-League 2010/11 - League Table & Fixtures .