I-League - Round 4: Salgaocar & East Bengal top

The fourth Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on December 16, 17 & 18 across India. Salgaocar SC and East Bengal Club remain the only clubs with a 100% record, but Salgaocar went top again with their big 5-0 win against the AIFF XI with East Bengal second on goal difference. The AIFF XI remain bottom of the league.


Round 4 Match by Match Short Review
16-Dec-2010: Mohun Bagan AC 2-2 (1-1) Dempo SC (in Kolkata)
Subhas Bhowmick's start as Mohun Bagan coach ended with a two-all draw against defending champions Dempo SC at the Saltlake Stadium. It looked like a perfect start for the new coach as Subair Muritala Ali gave Bagan an early lead and Jose Ramirez Barreto had the chance to double his teams lead, but his penalty was saved by Dempo keeper Laxmikant Kattimani and then on the other side Dempo's Clifton Gonsalves equalised against the run of play. But after the break the Goans were in charge and Nigerian Ranty Martins Soleye gave them a 2-1 lead, but Barreto would equalise to earn Mohun Bagan a deserving point against the champions.

17-Dec-2010: JCT 0-1 (0-1) East Bengal Club (in Ludhiana)
East Bengal Club's winning run continued with a 1-0 away win against JCT at the Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana. Their third 1-0 win in four league games. This time around defender Uga Okpara scored the winner for the red-and-gold in the 36th minute, who are still to concede a goal in four matches.

17-Dec-2010: Air India 0-0 ONGC (in Kolhapur)
The Mumbai derby between Air India and ONGC away from home in Kolhapur ended a goalless stalemate. The Oilmen were the better of the two sides in the first session, while the Airmen have more of the chances in the second half; but none of the to could break the deadlock.

18-Dec-2010: Salgaocar SC 5-0 (3-0) AIFF XI (in Goa)
Salgaocar's impressive run continued with an convincing 5-0 win against the young AIFF XI boys in Goa. This means that the Karim Bencharifa coached team go top again of the I-League. Their foreign attacking trio of Yakubu Yusif, Ryuji Sueoka and Eneke Ikenwa scored the goals for the Goans. Yakubu scored the opening goal in the 7th minute with Ryuji Sueoka doubling the lead in the 12th minute and Yakubu adding a third in only the 18th minute. But the Ghanian failed to complete his hattrick when he failed to score of a penalty, but Ryuji Sueoka was there to make it four in the 34th minute. The youngsters from the AIFF XI did put up a better display in the second session, but Eneke Ikenwa would finish the rout with Salgaocar's fifth late in the game.

18-Dec-2010: Mumbai FC 1-5 (1-3) Churchill Brothers SC (in Kolhapur)
Four goals from Odafe Onyeka Okolie gave Churchill Brothers SC a crushing 5-1 away win against Mumbai FC in Kolhapur. This result ended Mumbai FC's 100% record in this seasons I-League while Churchill Brothers with their second win in a row moved them closer to the top. It all started well for Mumbai FC as Noel Anthony Wilson gave them the lead in the 12th minute, but thereafter the Goans took charge of the match. And one more Odafe was the dangerman for his side. He first equalised off a penalty in the 18th minute and then gave his side the lead in the 28th minute before young Bineesh Balan made it three for Churchill Brothers. After the break Odafe would add two more in the 66th minute and then in injury time to take his tally to eight goals from only four matches.

18-Dec-2010: Pune FC 1-1 (0-1) Chirag United SC (in Pune)
Pune FC remain winless in the 4th I-League after a one-all draw at home against Chirag United SC. The Kolkata side would take the lead on the stroke of halftime through Elijah Obagbemiro Junior, while Izumi Arata would equalise for the hosts in the 58th minute.

18-Dec-2010: Viva Kerala 1-1 (0-0) HAL, Bangalore (in Kannur)
Viva Kerala once more could not win at home as they were held to a one-all draw by promoted HAL in Kannur. The guests from Bangalore took the lead in the 48th minute through a J. Muralidharan penalty, but only two minutes later Viva Kerala would equalise through striker P.K. Anil Kumar off a cross from Felix Chimaokwu. It would stay this way until the end.


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