I-League - Round 24: Salgaocar lose, Relegation battle continues

The twenty-fourth Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on April 29, 30 and May 1 across India with some matches slated for later in May. Another defeat for Salgaocar while East Bengal, Dempo and Churchill Brothers' matches will be played later has opened up the title race further, while at the bottom teams continue to win which is making it more and more intense with only a few matches left.


Round 24 Match by Match Short Review
29-Apr-2011: Salgaocar SC 2-3 (0-2) Mumbai FC (in Goa)
League leaders Salgaocar SC suffered a surprise 2-3 loss against Mumbai FC to loosen their grip on the I-League. For the moment Salgaocar remain top on 46 points from 22 matches, while Mumbai FC moved to 32 points from the same number of matches.
Mumbai FC took a surprise 17th minute lead through Keegan Pereira which was doubled by a well timed lob by Noel Anthony Wilson in the 32nd minute. Seasoned Ghanian Yakubu Yusif reduced the deficit in the 64th minute, but only five minutes later Nicholas L. Rodrigues made it 3-1 with substitute striker Milagres Gonsalves only being able to reduce the deficit in the 87th minute. It was a tough and unwanted loss for Salgaocar in their title chase.

29-Apr-2011: ONGC 2-2 (0-1) Chirag United SC (in Kolhapur)
ONGC needed a late goal to hold Chirag United SC to a two-all draw in Kolhapur. ONGC now have 22 points from 24 matches, while Chirag United have 27 points from 23 matches.
India striker Sunil Chhetri put his side ahead in the 41st minute, but N.D. Opara would equalise for the Oilmen five minutes after the break. Again Sunil Chhetri gave Chirag United the 2-1 lead in the 76th minute, but once again N.D. Opara would equalise for ONGC in injury time to earn what could be a vital point in their fight against relegation.

22-May-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 2-1 (1-0) East Bengal Club (in Goa)
Churchill Brothers SC kept their slim title chances alive with a 2-1 win against East Bengal Club in Goa. Churchill Brothers moved to 50 points from 25 matches, while East Bengal stay on 47 points from 24 matches after their second loss in a row. Both sides will have to win their remaining matches, while Salgaocar SC need to lose their final encounter against JCT to have a chance to win the I-League title.
In an open game Churchill Brothers sharp-shooter Odafe Onyeka Okolie gave his side a 1-0 lead on the half hour mark and doubled it through a penalty in the 58th minute against the outstretched hands of East Bengal keeper Jayanta Paul. East Bengal was able to reduce the deficit in the 79th minute through a Baljit Singh Sahni goal, but they wouldn't score any more goals.

30-Apr-2011: Indian Arrows 0-1 (0-1) Viva Kerala (in Gurgaon)
Viva Kerala scored a vital lone goal away win against Indian Arrows in Gurgaon to move away from the relegation spots. Viva Kerala moved past the Arrows into ninth spot with now 25 points from 24 matches, while the Indian Arrows stay on 23 points from 23 matches.
The lone goal of the afternoon came from Nigerian striker Felix Chimaokwu in the 19th minute against a depleted Indian Arrows who missed a number of regulars due to injuries and sickness, but after the break the young Arrows boys tried their best to get onto the score-sheet but they failed on this day.

01-May-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 2-0 (0-0) Air India (in Kolkata)
Mohun Bagan AC scored a 2-0 win again Air India in Kolkata to return to winning ways with their Nigerian striker Subair Muritala Ali the star of the day as he scored both the goals. Mohun Bagan now have 30 points from 23 matches, while Air India dropped back into the relegation zone with 21 points from 24 matches.
It was mainly the green-and-maroon which attacked the Airmen throughout the match, but Air India did have the better chances in the first session. This changed after the break as Muritala would score twice in the 66th and 78th minute on both occasions off Chidi Edeh.

01-May-2011: JCT 2-1 (1-0) Pune FC (in Ludhiana)
JCT continued their good recent run by scoring a 2-1 win against Pune FC in Ludhiana. JCT left the relegation places with now 23 points from 22 matches but stay in the fight for survival, while Pune FC missed a chance to move back into fifth spot as they dropped to seventh with now 29 points from 23 matches.
The Phagwara Millmen are a force to reckon with at home and it wasn't any different against PFC as the lone flag-bearer of North Indian football. It was young Ajay Singh who would score a brace in the 38th and 65th minute, while Mandjou Keita could only reduce the deficit for Pune FC in the 70th minute.

01-Jun-2011: Dempo SC 2-4 (2-1) HAL, Bangalore (in Goa)
HAL scored a vital 4-2 comeback win against now former champions Dempo SC in Goa to retain their place in the I-League. HAL like Air India, JCT and ONGC finished on 24 points; but they survive the drop due to a better head-to-head record against JCT and ONGC, who have to go down to the 2nd Division. Dempo finished third with 50 points from 26 matches.
Only two days after having trashed Air India 14-0, Dempo were out playing again in their final league match with only second spot to play for. HAL took an 11th minute lead through former Dempo striker R.C. Prakash, but Dempo hit back with Ranty Martins Soleye scoring a brace in the 25th and 42nd minute to take his tally to an incredible 30 goals this I-League season.
After the break HAL would make an unbelievable comeback. First Xavier Vijayakumar would get the equaliser five minutes into the second session and it was once more Vijayakumar to give HAL a shock 68th minute lead. Dempo went all out to get the equaliser, but instead Valeriano Rebello scored an own goal in the 87th minute to ensure HAL's victory and their top tier status. After the final whistle it was celebration time in the HAL camp.


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