Sunil Chhetri is 'AIFF Player of the Year 2011'

The All India Football Federation has declared Sunil Chhetri as the AIFF Player of the Year 2011. Sunil was chosen as the winner by coaches from I-League club, who voted amongst a list of five players shortlisted for the Award. The criteria for selection was on field performance primarily in India's international matches and general conduct, both on and off the field.

Sunil who has played a total of 17 international matches in the calendar year 2011, scoring an impressive 13 goals in the process, the highest by any Indian footballer in 2011. Besides this he also scored 11 goals in 20 Club matches for Chirag United SC (now Prayag United SC) and Mohun Bagan AC in 2011. He also received the Arjuna Award in 2011 and won the Man of the Championship in the recently concluded 2011 SAFF Championship in New Delhi.

Sunil Chhetri as the AIFF Player of the Year 2011 will receive a cash award of Rs. 200,000 (2 lakh) plus a silver plaque.

AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das congratulated Sunil on his achievement. "I congratulate Sunil for being the AIFF Player-of-the-Year. He has had an outstanding year winning many accolades and I'm sure he will continue his good form in the New Year both for the country and his club," Kushal Das said.

When I spoke to Sunil today, he was overjoyed to receive the award and he hopes to continue to deliver for club and country in the years to come.

Indian Club Football: Why only investors from Bengal?

The above is a question which needs to be asked. Over the Indian football summer break a number of clubs and entities have been on the lookout for new partners and sponsors, but only companies from Kolkata have come forward to spend Rs 50 to 80 Million (5 to 8 crores) per year.

Surely one has to criticize Chirag Computers style of their Viva Kerala takeover to name them Chirag United Club Kerala or in short CUCK, which is even worse. But on the other side why has Kerala's lone entrant in the top tier of the I-League not been able to find a local Kerala sponsor/backer or a Non-Resident Keralite with money? Then the fact is without Chirag Computers owner Kaustav Roy being on the lookout for an I-League club after his split with United SC the future of Viva Kerala looked seriously bleak.

Take Kolkata-based United SC. The I-League side split from Chirag Computers due to differences in ownership but after a few weeks found a new long-term partner in the Prayag Group of Industries, who have agreed to sponsor them for six years. This gives he United SC management planning security.

The third example of this summer are the Indian Arrows, the AIFF's developmental team. The team was based in Delhi last season and played in Gurgaon, but due to the high costs involved the AIFF where on the lookout for a sponsor and partner for the Arrows who could adopt the team. They hoped to either keep the team in Delhi or shift to Bangalore or Pune with a national or local sponsor. It didn't happen, then in the end the Pailan Group from Kolkata became the partners and the Arrows have now shifted to their world school campus in Joka.

There are other companies from Kolkata to have come forward to fund Calcutta Premier Division sides with budgets which would surely make some of the I-League sides envious.

But why aren't there any investments into Indian club football elsewhere? Especially from Mumbai and to some extend Bangalore I have been hearing for years now that there are investors waiting in the wings to launch new clubs, but nothing has ever happened.

The biggest disappointment remains for me Kerala. There is a state with huge interest in football, people follow the sport there like in Bengal, Goa and the Northeast; but there seems to be no local business which can support and sustain a local football team at the top level? That can't be.

Hopefully companies and individuals with the necessary deep pockets in other parts of India come forward to fund clubs or even found clubs to compete with the best in the country, otherwise soon it will be a Kolkata and Goa league with some Indian flavour in it...

Chirag United turns into Prayag United

Kolkata's United Sports Club have found a new sponsor in city-based Prayag Group of Industries. The I-League side and PGI signed a six year sponsorship contract which will be worth Rs. 50 Million (5 crores) for the first season. The club will from now on be known as Prayag United Sports Club.

For over four seasons Chirag Computers had been sponsors of United SC with the club better known as Chirag United SC, but over the summer club officials and Chirag Computers owner Kaustav Roy had a fall out which led to the club officials looking for a new sponsors, while Chirag have signed a sponsorship and ownership deal with Viva Kerala.

United SC had finished last season in eighth place of the I-League and with the help of their new owners the club want to be amongst the contenders for the I-League and Federation Cup titles after last season winning their first-ever Durand Cup crown.

United SC secretary Alokesh Kundu and chairman of PGI Basudeb Bagchi signed the MOU in presence of AIFF Vice-President Subrata Dutta, AIFF General Secretary Kushal Das and IFA Secretary Utpal Ganguli.

Former India Under-16 assistant coach Sanjoy Sen has been appointed as the new coach of Prayag United SC. The complete squad for the new season was not announced today, but some infos given on the composition of the team.

Attending the announcement function was seasoned Ghanian Yakubu Yusif, who has been signed from champions Salgaocar SC. The other foreigners are Nigerian defender Bello Razaq (Viva Kerala) and Brazilian Josimar da Silva Martins who has been retained. The club has further retained junior international Arnab Mondal plus influential midfielder Denson Devadas and Lal Kamal Bhowmick. Young talented goalkeeper Jagroop Singh (Indian Arrows) has been signed while seasoned midfielder Jayanta Sen returns from Mohun Bagan AC.

The club is said to be in talks with international defender Deepak Kumar Mondal (Mohun Bagan AC) and Kiwi Kayne Vincent (Churchill Brothers), while also looking to strengthen the team before the end of the transfer period.

The new sponsors also said that they would like to set-up three Academies along with the club, one each in North Bengal, the Jungle Mahal area and in Assam.

Chirag Computers buys 60% Viva Kerala stake

Viva Kerala and Chirag Computer have come to an agreement that the Kolkata based company will buy a 60 percent controlling stake in Viva Kerala for an undisclosed fee while the other 40 perfect stake stays with the club directors. This means football fans in Kerala can sleep again as Viva Kerala will not be following in the footsteps of Mahindra United and JCT to close down their team.

Last season Viva Kerala had been sponsored by Kunnath Pharmaceuticals through their brand Musli Power, who earlier had sponsored Churchill Brothers SC. There had been talks about Kunnath Pharmaceuticals picking-up a stake in the club, but that didn't happen for unknown reasons.

The RP Group of Companies owned Chirag Computers had been the sponsors of United Sports Club since 2006 and under the name of Chirag United SC the team from Kolkata came up from the 2nd Division into the top tier. But in the last few weeks there has been a dispute over ownership and control of the club, which the management of United SC ended by terminating the sponsorship deal.

Thereafter Chirag Computers owner Kaustav Roy has been on the lookout for an alternative club to not only sponsor, but also own. Clubs in Kolkata turned down the opportunity after which Mr. Roy was considering of launching a new club under the name of Chirag Athletic Club, but as the club would have to play the lowest division in Kolkata football that option fell through.

Contact was established with Viva Kerala only a few days ago, who where on the lookout for a new sponsor and they where willing to give that new partner a stake in the club. There have been reports that German car major Volkswagen was interested to sponsor Viva Kerala, but that has been denied by the Germans.

The deal between Viva Kerala and Chirag Computers was finalised last night in Mumbai and the club will from now on be known as Chirag Kerala instead of Viva Kerala. The club has already lost some of their key players in Bello Razaq, N.P. Pradeep and P.K. Anil Kumar; but Chirag is said to be willing to spend for the club to bring in quality players though many have already signed for other clubs.

For the moment Viva Kerala will stay in the south Indian state, but knowing Kaustav Roy he might be thinking to bring 'his club' closer to his home in the future. In the new season Chirag Kerala hope to play their home games in Kochi again, but that has not been decided yet.

Chirag United SC - Club/Sponsor to part ways

In 2006 aspiring Kolkata side EverReady Sports Association had renamed themselves to United Sports Club to be able to attract sponsors and only a little while later the club got Chirag Computers as their main title sponsors with the clubs name changed to the wide known Chirag United SC. In the 2007/08 season they would push for promotion to the I-League and succeed after a few failed earlier attempts.

Since then the club has cemented their place as the number three force in the football crazy city of Kolkata though over the years they haven't been able to attract fans due to the special divide in Kolkata amongst Mohun Bagan, East Bengal and Mohammedan Sporting.

Now the relationship between the United SC management and sponsors Chirag Computer seems to be all but over with a bitter feud over control of the club having erupted with allegations and counter allegations made against each other.

Chirag Computers owner Kaustav Roy had said that he had been surprised that the clubs management had handed in all documents to the IFA, AIFF and AFC as United SC and not as Chirag United SC. He wanted to have a bigger say in the running of the club, questioned why Chirag Computers didn't have a 50% stake in the club and said that the coach should decide on the clubs players with no interference from the management.

The United SC management has since said that their relationship with Chirag Computers as sponsors was over, while Chirag owner Kaustav Roy is already looking at alternative club options in Kolkata.

For United SC it means that they will have to find a suitable sponsor in the coming weeks, then they would have to put together a multi-crore budget to keep their players, who have taken sides with the club management and want to stay at the club.

Postponed I-League Games: HAL avoid the drop, East Bengal finish second

June 1 was an I-League match day for postponed Round 24 & 25 matches. The matches had been postponed due to Dempo's and East Bengal's AFC Cup commitments. In the end HAL avoided the drop with a 4-2 win against Dempo SC while East Bengal secured second spot with a small Kolkata derby win against Chirag United.


Match by Match Short Review
Round 24
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.

Here all I-League Round 24 match reports

Round 25
01-Jun-2011: East Bengal Club 2-1 (2-0) Chirag United SC (in Kolkata)
East Bengal Club ended their season with a 2-1 win against local rivals Chirag United SC at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. With the win East Bengal leapfrogged past Dempo SC and Churchill Brothers SC into the second spot with 51 points from 26 matches, which will bring some smiles back to Trevor Morgan and his boys. Chirag United ended their season on 29 points as eighth in the season.
East Bengal took a 18th minute lead from a Susanth Mathew goal, while Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey made it 2-0 in the 38th minute. Chirag United's Sunil Chhetri was only able to reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute as the match ended 2-1 in favour of East Bengal.

Here all I-League Round 25 match reports


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

I-League - Round 26: Salgaocar win title, Dempo score 14!

The twenty-sixth and last Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played from May 28 to 31 across India. Salgaocar confirmed their I-league with a 2-0 away win in Ludhiana, while Dempo scored a record 14-0 win against Air India in Goa.


Round 26 Match by Match Short Review
28-May-2011: HAL, Bangalore 1-1 (0-0) East Bengal Club (in Bangalore)
Relegation threatened HAL drew one-all against East Bengal Club at the new artificial turf at the Bangalore Football Stadium to end the Kolkata giants dream of winning the I-League title. HAL remain bottom of the league with 21 points from 25 matches, while East Bengal now have 48 points with one match to go.
East Bengal looked the better of the two sides in the first session, but HAL held their ground with especially their goalkeeper P Pramod having a good game. After the break HAL looked the better side, but this time around East Bengal's seasoned keeper Sandip Nandy was in the way. Against the run of play East Bengal took a 76th minute lead through substitute Ravinder Singh, but HAL captain Xavier Vijayakumar would equalise to deny the red-and-gold the much needed three points.

29-May-2011: Chirag United SC 1-1 (0-1) Viva Kerala (in Kolkata)
Chirag United SC and Viva Kerala played out a one-all draw in Kolkata. The men in purple now have 29 points from 25 matches, while Viva Kerala ensured their I-League status after finishing with 27 points from 26 matches.
The story of the match is quickly told as two Indian internationals would score after the break. Viva Kerala would take a 47th minute lead through N.P. Pradeep, while striker Sunil Chhetri would equalise for Chirag United in the 81st minute.

31-May-2011: Churchill Brother SC 2-3 (1-1) Pune FC (in Goa)
Churchill Brother SC ended their I-League campaign on a low with a 2-3 defeat at the hands of Pune FC at home in Goa. Meanwhile Pune FC ended their season as fifth with 36 points from 26 matches, while Churchill Brothers SC are currently third with 50 points from the same number of games.
With nothing much to play for the two sides played an open, attacking match. FC took a fifth minute lead through a Mandjou Keita shot, but as one would expect Odafe Onyeka Okolie was the danger man for the Goans in the first session though he would only get the equaliser in injury time. After the break Churchill Brothers kept up the pressure and went ahead through Odafe in the 75th minute and only two minutes later Othallo Tabia was send off, it seemed PFC were beaten. But they pressed on with Kamaljeet Kumar heading in a free-kick four minutes from time and again Mandjou Keita would seal a memorable 3-2 victory for Pune.

30-May-2011: ONGC 2-2 (2-0) Mumbai FC (in Kolhapur)ONGC were held to a two-all draw by Mumbai FC in a local derby away from Mumbai at the Sahu Maharaj Ground in Kolhapur. With this draw ONGC end their campaign on 24 points from 26 matches, while Mumbai FC finish on 34 points.
The Oilmen made a quick start into the game with N.D. Opara giving them a 7th minute lead from a penalty. His team mate Badmus Babatunde would make it 2-0 in the 36th minute and NGC seemed to be heading for a crucial win in their final league match. But after the break Mumbai FC would get back into the game with Sampath Kumar Kuttymani scoring in the 65th minute, while international striker Abhishek Yadav equalised in the 75th minute. And it remained two-all until the very end.

30-May-2011: Dempo SC 14-0 (4-0) Air India (in Goa)
Dempo SC scored the biggest ever win in the history of the I-League/National Football League by trashing Air India 14-0! But still the win didn't help Dempo to defend their I-League title as they moved to 50 points from 25 matches, while Air India finished their 26 match campaign on 24 points.
The fans at the Nehru Stadium in Margao watched a match where numerous new records were set, but at half-time it didn't look like it could head where it finally did as Dempo where only leading 4-0 and went on to score 10 goals in the second session. Nigerian striker Ranty Martins Soleye was the stand-out with seven goals as he scored in the 35th, 43rd, 48th, 61st, 67th, 78th and 84th minutes. The other goal scorers were Roberto Mendes Silva (54th, 68th, 90+3), Peter Carvalho (41st, 59th), Climax Lawrence (45th) and Clifton Gonsalves (90th)

29-May-2011: Indian Arrows 5-4 (4-1) Mohun Bagan AC (in Gurgaon)
The Indian Arrows won a nine goal thriller against Mohun Bagan AC 5-4 at the Tau Devi Lal Sports Complex in Gurgaon. The Indian Arrows ended their inaugural I-League season on 29 points and in 9th place, while Mohun Bagan ended their disappointing campaign as sixth and with 34 points from 26 matches.
The Arrows had a great first half with Jeje Lalpekhlua scoring the opening goal in the 9th minute before Shilton D'Silva added a brace in the 18th and 23rd minute while Jeje made it 4-0 in only the 25th minute. A big defeat seemed on hands for Mohun Bagan, but the green-and-maroon scored their first goal through striker Chidi Edeh in the 42nd minute. After the break Subair Muritala Ali would get twice onto the score-sheet in the 57th and 78th minute to reduce the deficit to 3-4 and it seemed as if Mohun Bagan could score a remarkable comeback, but Jeje would win the match in the 87th minute making the 5-3 but Muritala would reduce the deficit in the last minute of the match to complete hattricks for both Jeje and Muritala.

30-May-2011: JCT 0-2 (0-1) Salgaocar SC (in Ludhiana)
Salgaocar SC won their final match of the season 2-0 against JCT to seal their first I-League title. For the Goans it is their second overall national league title as they finished the season on 56 points from 26 matches, while JCT finished on disappointing 24 points from the same number of matches.
JCT needed the points themselves in the relegation battle so they wanted to keep the points in Ludhiana, but Salgaocar took a 13th minute lead through a Francis Fernandes goal. And seasoned Yakubu Yusif sealed the win and the title with an 85th minute goal.


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

Remaining I-League fixtures revised

With Dempo SC making it to the 2011 AFC Cup pre-quarterfinals the AIFF was forced to change the fixtures of some of the remaining matches of the I-League with Dempo still to play four matches in the last couple of weeks of the season.

But Indian clubs having contracts with players ending on May 31, the AIFF has decided to only have two matches on June 1 with Dempo SC hosting HAL, Bangalore and East Bengal Club facing Chirag United SC.

It seems the AIFF is hoping for the title race to be a two team affair between these two sides with no interference from current league leaders Salgaocar SC and Churchill Brothers SC. If not it will be interesting to see what happens and if there will be any protest from opponents in regard to favouring sides.

On the other side the AIFF will be happy that the AFC Cup pre-quarterfinals is a one-off match on May 24 and not a home-and-away affair which would have further jeopardised the season ending.


The remaining revised I-League Fixtures

Round 19
19-May-2011: Mumbai FC - Dempo SC
22-May-2011: Mohun Bagan AC - JCT
19-May-2011: Salgaocar SC - East Bengal Club

Round 24
22-May-2011: Churchill Brothers SC - East Bengal Club
01-Jun-2011: Dempo SC - HAL, Bangalore

Round 25
01-Jun-2011: East Bengal Club - Chirag United SC
27-May-2011: Pune FC - Dempo SC

Round 26
28-May-2011: HAL, Bangalore - East Bengal Club
29-May-2011: Chirag United SC - Viva Kerala
30-May-2011: Churchill Brothers SC - Pune FC
30-May-2011: ONGC - Mumbai FC
30-May-2011: Dempo SC - Air India
29-May-2011: Indian Arrows - Mohun Bagan AC
30-May-2011: JCT - Salgaocar SC

Postponed I-League Games: East Bengal score big point

May 15 was an I-League match day for postponed games which had not been held earlier due to commitments of East Bengal Club and Dempo SC in the 2011 AFC Cup, while other matches had been postponed for organisational reasons. Overall four matches were played on this Sunday which could influence the outcome of the I-League at the top and bottom.


Match by Match Short Review
Round 15
15-May-2011: East Bengal Club 3-2 (0-1) Dempo SC (in Kolkata)
Former NFL champions East Bengal Club came from behind to defeat reigning I-League champions Dempo SC 3-2 in an exciting match at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. East Bengal now have 47 points from 22 matches, while Dempo stay on 44 from the same number of games.
Dempo took an early seventh minute lead through a Ranty Martins Soleye goal and it was an open game thereafter with more chances for East Bengal, but Dempo went into the break with a one goal lead. Things would change after the break as the red-and-gold were on fire. First Baljit Singh Sahni would equalise two minutes into the half. Then a double strike from Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey in the 50th and 57th minute gave the local side a 3-1 lead. The referee Dinesh Nair had his hands full with a lot at stake - tons of yellow cards and three red cards. First Dempo's Clifford Miranda and then East Bengal's Gurwinder Singh and Nirmal Chetri were all send off. The match was stopped for a while as Mahesh Gawli was taken off the field and to a hospital, which led to the match having more then 10 minutes of injury time. Just before the end Roberto Mendes Silva would reduce the margin through a penalty after Nirmal Chetri handled the ball in the box.

Round 15
15-May-2011: Pune FC 1-1 (0-0) Mumbai FC (in Pune)
Pune FC and Mumbai FC played out a one-all draw in their mid-table clash at Pune's Balewadi Sports Complex. MFC stay in fifth place with 33 points while PFC remain seventh with 30 points as both sides have played 24 matches.
After a goalless first session substitute Singam Subash Singh gave Pune FC a 65th minute lead, but six minutes from time Mumbai FC's Ebi Theophilus Sukore would equalise for his team and the game ended in a stalemate.

Here all I-League Round 15 match reports


Round 17
15-May-2011: JCT 2-2 (0-2) Chirag United SC (in Ludhiana)
JCT scored a vital comeback 2-2 draw against Chirag United SC at the floddlit Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana. The point gained today takes JCT into 11th spot with 24 points from 24 matches out of the relegation zone, while Chirag United SC stay mid-table with 28 points from 24 matches.
The Kolkata side have only themselves to blame of not picking-up the three points. Their Brazilian striker Josimar da Silva Martins gave them a 2-0 half-time lead with goals in the 28th and 35th minute and it seemed the game was theirs, but JCT turned things around after the break. First Rahul Kumar reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute, then Gurtej Singh Jr. equalised in the 59th minute and it stayed two-all until the end.

Here all I-League Round 17 match reports


Round 18
15-May-2011: Indian Arrows 1-3 (0-1) Salgaocar SC (in Gurgaon)
Salgaocar SC returned to winning ways with a 3-1 away win against the Indian Arrows in their postponed Round 18 match. The Goans are now top of the league again with 50 points from 24 matches, while the Indian Arrows stay on 26 points from 25 matches.
Initially it was the Arrows who put pressure on Salgaocar, but against the run of play the Goans took a 22th minute lead through their Japanese recruit Ryuji Sueoka. 10 minutes later the Arrows got a golden opportunity to equalise, but Lalrindika Ralte blasted his shot over the goal after he himself had been brought down. It was Ryuji Sueoka again who doubled the lead i the 63rd minute, but the Arrows stayed in the game when Holicharan Narzary reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but a Cajetan Fernandes header a minute from time ensured Salgocar would take home the three points.

Here all I-League Round 18 match reports


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

I-League - Round 25: Salgaocar drop more points

The twenty-fifth Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on May 7 & 8 across India with some matches slated for late-May. Salgaocar once more dropped points and seem to have run out of steam towards the end of the campaign, while Churchill Brothers go to the top on goal difference though they have played more games. This leaves East Bengal and Dempo in a better position, but once more due to AFC Cup commitments their matches had to be postponed.


Round 25 Match by Match Short Review
01-Jun-2011: East Bengal Club 2-1 (2-0) Chirag United (in Kolkata)
East Bengal Club ended their season with a 2-1 win against local rivals Chirag United SC at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. With the win East Bengal leapfrogged past Dempo SC and Churchill Brothers SC into the second spot with 51 points from 26 matches, which will bring some smiles back to Trevor Morgan and his boys. Chirag United ended their season on 29 points as eighth in the season.
East Bengal took a 18th minute lead from a Susanth Mathew goal, while Australian striker Tolgay Ozbey made it 2-0 in the 38th minute. Chirag United's Sunil Chhetri was only able to reduce the deficit in the 63rd minute as the match ended 2-1 in favour of East Bengal.

07-May-2011: Mumbai FC 1-2 (1-1) Indian Arrows (in Kolhapur)
Indian Arrows scored a vital 2-1 win against Mumbai FC to get three crucial points in their fight against relegation in the I-League. The Arrows moved to 26 points from 24 matches, while Mumbai FC stay on 32 points from 23 matches.
The Arrows took an early 12th minute lead through a curling Lalrindika free-kick, but Sampath Kumar Kuttymani would equalise for MFC in the 35th minute. The winner would come on the hour mark as once more Lalrindika scored for the Arrows.

07-May-2011: Viva Kerala 0-0 ONGC (in Kannur)
Viva Kerala and ONGC played out a goalless draw in the I-League in Kannur. The result helps Viva Kerala more as they move to 26 points from 25 matches, while ONGC now have 23 points from 25 matches to stay just above the relegation zone.
There wasn't much action in this game as both defences stood tight with rare chances to P.K. Anil Kumar of Viva Kerala and Badmus Babatunde for ONGC, the top striker of both the teams.

27-May-2011: Pune FC 3-2 (1-0) Dempo SC (in Pune)
Dempo SC suffered a major setback in their quest to retain the I-League with a 2-3 loss away to Pune FC at their Balewadi Sports Complex. Dempo remain on 47 points from 24 matches and will have to hope that Salgaocar lose their final match against JCT, while they win their remaining to two games with big margins to have any chances to retain the title. PFC meanwhile moved into sixth place with 33 points from 25 matches.
Izumi Arata opened the scoring for Pune FC in the 34th minute before Mandjou Keita doubled the score after the break, but Dempo weren't beaten yet as first Roberto Mendes Silva reduced the deficit in the 62nd minute before Ranty Martins Soleye equalised only four minutes later. But PFC would score the winner once more through Izumi Arata to deny Dempo any points from this match.

08-May-2011: HAL, Bangalore 0-3 (0-2) Churchill Brothers SC (in Bangalore)
Bangalore's HAL suffered another set-back in their quest to stay in the I-League when they suffered a 0-3 home loss against title chasing Churchill Brothers SC. HAL stay 14th and last with only 20 points from 24 matches, while Churchill Brothers SC moved to the top of the table with now 47 points from 24 matches, but their title rivals have played less matches.
The Goans had the match sealed early on as Odafe Onyeka Okolie's 7th minute goal and T. Bineesh Balan goal in the 12th minute gave them an early cushion which was never really tested as Kayne Vincent added a late 87th minute goal to seal the 3-0 win.

08-May-2011: Air India 1-0 (0-0) JCT (in Kolhapur)
In a relegation battle Air India prevailed 1-0 against JCT in Kolhapur. The Airmen moved past JCT to 24 points from 25 matches, while JCT dropped back into the relegation zone while staying on 23 points from 23 matches.
Air India's golden goal of the day was scored by Nigerian striker Okorogor Nnabuike Praise in the 54th minute, a vital victory for the Mumbai who only have a match in hand.

08-May-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 2-2 (1-2) Salgaocar SC (in Kolkata)
Mohun Bagan held league leaders Salgaocar SC to an entertaining two-all draw in Kolkata. The Goans moved to 47 points from 23 matches, while Mohun Bagan moved to 31 points from 24 matches.
Nigerian striker Chidi Edeh gave Mohun Bagan a 15th minute lead off a Surkumar Singh cross. But Salgaocar would turn things around before the break. First Japanese Ryuji Sueoka would equalise on the half hour mark and then young Gilbert Oliveira would give Salgaocar a 39th minute lead. But it was once more Chidi who scored for the green-and-maroon in the 52nd minute. Salgaocar did try to get the winner, but they wouldn't succeed as their title push got another dampener.


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

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 .

I-League - Round 23: Title/Relegation race wide open

The twenty-third Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on April 22 to 25 across India. With Dempo SC beating rivals Salgaocar SC and East Bengal winning these three sides are now only two points apart in the title race, while Churchill Brothers having played two matches more are out of the title race. Elsewhere the relegation race is hotting up by the day with the bottom teams gaining more valuable points. HAL are now bottom of the league.


Round 23 Match by Match Short Review
22-Apr-2011: East Bengal Club 3-0 (3-0) Viva Kerala (in Kolkata)
East Bengal Club returned to winning ways with a 3-0 win against Viva Kerala at the Saltlake Stadium. With this win the red-and-gold are now on 44 points from 21 matches and are back in the title race, while Viva Kerala remain on 22 points from 23 matches and in danger of relegation.
The Kolkata side after initially having problems with their guests scored two quick goals to take control of the match. First a Syed Rahim Nabi solo in the 17th minute was followed by a Penn Ikechukwu Orji strike only a couple of minutes later. India striker Sushil Kumar Singh made it three in the 41st minute of a header, his first goal for East Bengal. It remained this way not only at the break, but after 90 minute too.

24-Apr-2011: HAL, Bangalore 1-2 (0-1) Pune FC (in Bangalore)
A downbeat Hindustan Aeronautics Limited who have to cope with the dead of their reserve goalkeeper Arun Kumar suffered another setback by losing 1-2 against Pune FC at the Sree Kanteerava Stadium. Pune FC moved into fifth place with now 29 points from 22 matches, while HAL dropped to the bottom of the table with only 20 points from 23 matches.
HAL have only themselves to blame as the Airmen wasted numerous chances throughout the match. PFC took a 42nd minute lead through a well placed shot from Lester Fernandes, while Mandjou Keita would double the lead in the 52nd minute with both goals coming of passes from seasoned Shanmugam Venkatesh. HAL did reduce the deficit through R.C. Prakash in the 63rd minute, but thereafter they couldn't get on the score-sheet anymore.

23-Apr-2011: Air India 2-2 (1-1) Churchill Brothers SC (in Kolhapur)
A late equaliser for Air India earned them a hard fought 2-2 against Churchill Brothers SC in Kolhapur. The Airmen moves to 21 points from 23 matches, while the draw has evaporated the little title chance that Churchill Brothers had going into the match as the Goans now have 44 points from 23 matches with the other title contenders having played two matches less.
Air India took the lead through Okorogor Nnabuike Praise in the 15th minute with Odafe Onyeka Okolie equalising only a couple of minutes later. It stayed one-all at the break, but only three minutes into the second session T. Bineesh Balan gave the Goans the lead and they were denied all three points through another O.N. Praise goal in injury time while Air India were happy about the point in their fight against relegation.

24-Apr-2011: JCT 2-0 (0-0) Indian Arrows (in Ludhiana)
JCT scored a vital 2-0 win against the Indian Arrows in Ludhiana to keep their fight for survival alive. The Phagwara Millmen moved to 20 points from 21 matches, while the Arrows remain on 23 points from 22 games.
After an action packed goalless first session JCT took the lead in the 70th minute through a Badru Keke Ibrahim strike and substitute Sakatar Singh would ensure victory with a second a minute from time.

24-Apr-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 1-2 (1-0) ONGC (in Kolkata)
Debutants ONGC scored a 2-1 comeback win against seasoned Mohun Bagan AC at the Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. The Oilmen moved out of the relegation spots with 21 points from 23 matches, while Mohun Bagan stay on 27 points from 22 matches.
Mohun Bagan took an early fourth minute lead through a typical Surkumar Singh long-ranger, but that was nearly all that the green-and-maroon put together as ONGC didn't look to bother them in the first session. After the break things changed, but it needed goalkeeper Sangram Mukherjee not being able to clear a back pass which allowed substitute Kailash Patel to equalise in the 79th minute and only five minutes later Kailash Patel scored again with a placed shot to shock the Kolkata giants and earn three vital points for ONGC.

23-Apr-2011: Salgaocar SC 1-3 (1-2) Dempo SC (in Goa)
League leaders Salgaocar SC suffered a 1-3 loss against defending champions Dempo SC in a Goan I-League derby which has opened up the title race. Salgaocar remain on 46 points from 21 matches, while Dempo move to 44 points from the same number of games.
Dempo took an early fourth minute lead through a deflected Ogba Kalu Nnanna shot following a corner. Salgaocar got back into the game and equalised through seasoned Yakubu Yusif in the 31st minute, but two minutes before the break Roberto Mendes Silva and Ranty Martins Soleye would combine with Ranty giving Dempo a 2-1 half-time lead. After the break Salgaocar attacked the Dempo in search of the equaliser, but Dempo would seal the game in the 85th minute through a placed Roberto Mendes Silva shot passed Karanjit Singh in goal.

25-Apr-2011: Mumbai FC 0-0 Chirag United SC (in Kolhapur)
Mumbai FC and Chirag United SC played out a goalless draw in Kolhapur. Mumbai FC move to 29 points from 21 matches, while Chirag United now have 26 points from 22 matches.
Both sides had their chances, but their strikers simply couldn't score on this day and with both teams rather secure in the middle of nowhere there wasn't an urge to score and win.


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

Under-19 I-League starts next week

The Under-19 tournament for I-League sides will kick-off on April 26 with the preliminary phase to be held until May 6 with 15 teams split into four groups to be played across the country.

Group A will be an all Goan affair with Dempo SC, Salgaocar SC, Churchill Brothers SC and Sporting Clube de Goa. Kolkata host Group B where East Bengal Club, Mohun Bagan AC, Chirag United SC and Shillong Lajong FC would face each other, while Mumbai host Group C where ONGC, Mumbai FC, Pune FC and Air India are clubbed together. Group D would be played in Punjab with JCT facing Viva Kerala and HAL, Bangalore.


Group A - Goa
26-Apr-2011: Dempo SC - Churchill Brothers SC
26-Apr-2011: Salgaocar SC - Sporting Clube de Goa
28-Apr-2011: Churchill Brothers SC - Salgaocar SC
28-Apr-2011: Sporting Clube de Goa - Dempo SC
30-Apr-2011: Churchill Brothers SC - Sporting Clube de Goa
30-Apr-2011: Dempo SC - Salgaocar SC

Group B - Kolkata
02-May-2011: East Bengal Club - Chirag United SC
02-May-2011: Mohun Bagan AC - Shillong Lajong FC
04-May-2011: Chirag United SC - Mohun Bagan AC
04-May-2011: Shillong Lajong FC - East Bengal Club
06-May-2011: Chirag United SC - Shillong Lajong FC
06-May-2011: East Bengal Club - Mohun Bagan AC

Group C - Mumbai
26-Apr-2011: ONGC - Air India
26-Apr-2011: Mumbai FC - Pune FC
28-Apr-2011: Air India - Mumbai FC
28-Apr-2011: Pune FC - ONGC
30-Apr-2011: Mumbai FC - ONGC
30-Apr-2011: Pune FC - Air India

Group D - Punjab
26-Apr-2011: JCT FC - Viva Kerala
28-Apr-2011: Viva Kerala - HAL, Bangalore
30-Apr-2011: HAL, Bangalore - JCT FC

I-League - Round 22: Salgaocar win, while EB & Churchill lose

The twenty-second Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on April 16, 17 & 18 across India. Salgaocar SC won a crucial derby against Churchill Brothers SC to close in on the I-League title, while closest rivals East Bengal lost to Pune FC.


Round 22 Match by Match Short Review
16-Apr-2011: Dempo SC 5-2 (3-1) Indian Arrows (in Goa)
Dempo SC scored a 5-2 win against the Indian Arrows in Goa to maintain their slim I-League title chances. The defending champions moved now to 41 points from 20 matches while the Arrows remain on 23 points from 21 matches. The Goans took a fifth minute lead through Iranian Rouhollah Samienia but only a couple of minutes later Shilton D'Silva would equalise for the Arrows. But Dempo's would hit back with strikes from Roberto Mendes Silva in the 27th and then Ranty Martins Soleye in the 44th minute. And was Rant again who would score Dempo's fourth on the hour mark, while an in-form Jeje Lalpekhlua would reduce the deficit for Arrows in the 72th minute. But Roberto Mendes Silva would seal the match in the 83rd minute through a penalty.

18-Apr-2011: Pune FC 2-1 (1-1) East Bengal Club (in Pune)
East Bengal Club suffered a major setback in their quest for the I-League title when they suffered a 1-2 loss away to Pune FC. East Bengal stay on 41 points from 20 matches, five behind league leaders Salgaocar; while Pune FC move to 26 points from 21 matches.
PFC put the Kolkata side under pressure from the start, but the red-and-gold went ahead in the 17th minute through an Uga Okpara goal after a corner, but in the 31st minute PFC equalised through a Mandjou Keita strike. After the break East Bengal had more of the ball, but former India captain Shanmugam Venkatesh would score the winner in the 63rd minute to win the game for PFC and dent East Bengal's title hopes.

16-Apr-2011: Viva Kerala 1-0 (1-0) Mumbai FC (in Kannur)
Viva Kerala continued their climb up the I-League table away from the relegation zone with a 1-0 win against Mumbai FC at home in Kannur. Viva Kerala now have 22 points from 22 matches, while Mumbai FC stay fifth with 28 points from 20 matches.
Viva Kerala was the dominant side in the game and won the match through a deserving strike from Nigerian Felix Chimaokwu.

16-Apr-2011: Chirag United SC 1-1 (1-0) Mohun Bagan AC (in Kolkata)
The small Kolkata derby between Chirag United SC and Mohun Bagan AC ended in a one-all stalemate at the Saltlake Stadium. Both sides have played 21 matches with Mohun Bagan ahead on 27 points, while Chirag United now have 25 points.
Chirag United SC took a first half lead through India striker Sunil Chhetri, who scored from the spot and it was Sunil's third goal in as many matches; while Subair Muritala Ali equalised for Mohun Bagan in the 80th minute. It wasn't the best of matches and to make matters worse the referee send three players off - Bapi Saha and Josimar da Silva Martins of Chirag United plus Mohun Bagan's Chidi Edeh.

17-Apr-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 1-2 (1-2) Salgaocar SC (in Goa)
I-League leaders Salgaocar SC took a giant step towards the title by beating Goan rivals Churchill Brothers SC 2-1 in the latter's home match, while for Churchill Brothers their title chase looks all but over. Salgaocar now have 46 points from 20 matches, while Churchill Brothers stay on 43 points but from 22 matches.
It was mostly Salgaocar in the first session, but the Churchill Brothers defence mostly stood their ground. The men in green-white took the lead in the 37th minute through a long ranger from Francis Fernandes, but only three minutes later Odafe Onyeka Okolie was brought down by Khelemba Singh in the box and Odafe went on to score from the penalty. But at the stroke of half-time Japanese 'Man of the Match' Ryuji Sueoka would score the winner of Yakubu Yusif for Salgaocar's.
But after the break the match lacked the pace and intensity of the first session and it stayed 2-1 for Salgaocar.

17-Apr-2011: ONGC 2-1 (0-1) JCT (in Kolhapur)
Promoted ONGC scored a late 2-1 comeback win against JCT in Kolhapur to further intensify the relegation battle. ONGC moved away from the bottom to be now on 18 points from 22 matches, while JCT dropped to the last place with 17 points but having played only 20 matches. Ajay Singh gave the Punjab Millmen a first half lead, but Nigerian striker Badmus Babatunde got the Oilmen a 54th minute equaliser before he would score the vital winner in injury time to give ONGC a boasting victory, while for JCT it was a late shock.

17-Apr-2011: HAL, Bangalore 1-3 (0-1) Air India (in Bangalore)
HAL suffered a 1-3 home defeat at the hands of Air India to place them just above the relegation zone. Both sides are now on 20 points from 22 matches, but the Airmen have a three goal better goal difference and suddenly HAL are in the relegation battle which they themselves would have not thought about two/three rounds ago.
The Airmen took a 39th minute lead through Nigerian striker Okorogor Nnabuike Praise. After the break Soccor Velho would score in the 63rd minute and O.N. Praise again in the 69th minute to give Air India a comfortable 3-0 lead. HAL could only reduce the deficit in injury time through a R.C. Prakash penalty after the seasoned striker was brought down.


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

I-League - Round 21: Air India upset Salgaocar

The twenty-first Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played between April 8 to 11 across India. The bottom three of JCT, Air India and ONGC all won putting pressure on the teams ahead of them making the relegation race more open, while Salgaocar's loss at the top allows Churchill Brothers and East Bengal close on.


Round 21 Match by Match Short Review
09-Apr-2011: ONGC 4-0 (2-0) HAL, Bangalore (in Kolhapur)
Relegation fighting ONGC scored a convincing 4-0 win against HAL in Kolhapur, their biggest victory in the I-League so far and a crucial one as well. ONGC got a 14th minute lead through a free-kick from their Japanese midfielder Katsumi Yusa and their in-form striker Badmus Babatunde doubled the lead in the 36th minute. After the break Kailash Patil would score twice in the 48th and 59th minute to seal a memorable victory for the Oilmen.

08-Apr-2011: Dempo SC 3-3 (2-1) Viva Kerala (in Goa)
Dempo SC needed a late goal to earn a three-all draw against Viva Kerala at the Nehru Stadium, Goa. Dempo make a quick start into the game and were 2-0 up by the eighth minute after goals from Debabrata Roy and Ranty Martins Soleye, but the Goans became complacent and allowed Viva Kerala to get back into the match when P.K. Anil Kumar scored a tap in after Subhashish Roy Chowdhury couldn't collect the ball. After the break it continued this way and Viva Kerala were suddenly equal when N.P. Pradeep scored in the 66th minute and suddenly Dempo were under pressure, who then even conceded a third through a Charles Dzisah header in the 78th minute. But Ranty Martins Soleye saved the day for Dempo's with a last minute equaliser, but still after such a great start Dempo's lost two vital points in the title race.

09-Apr-2011: JCT 1-0 (1-0) Mumbai FC (in Ludhiana)
In their fight against relegation JCT scored a crucial 1-0 win against Mumbai FC at home in Ludhiana. The Millmen where the better of the two sides on display and took an early 11th minute lead through Ajay Singh, but they couldn't score of their other chances thereafter as it ended with a lone goal win.

09-Apr-2011: East Bengal Club 2-1 (1-0) Mohun Bagan AC (in Kolkata)
East Bengal Club scored a crucial 2-1 derby win against Mohun Bagan AC at the Saltlake Stadium to keep their I-League title hopes alive. The red-and-gold took an early seventh minute lead through a Tolgay Ozbey strike though they didn't have the best of halves. After the break Mohun Bagan got a quick 48th minute equaliser from a Surkumar Singh shot which went in off a deflection. But East Bengal would go back into the lead through a Baljit Singh Sahni strike off a pass from Tolgay. It remained 2-1 until the end.

10-Apr-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 2-1 (0-1) Chirag United SC (in Goa)
Churchill Brothers SC scored a crucial comeback 2-1 win against Chirag United SC in Goa to keep their title challenge alive. The Kolkata side were the better of the two sides in action and Sunil Chhetri gave them a spectacular 29th minute lead through a bicycle kick off a Josimar da Silva Martins pass. And Chhetri could have doubled the lead before the break, but things would change thereafter. Churchill Brothers were a more organised lot and with a double strike tilted the match in their favour. First in the 61st minute Chika Wali scored into his own goal and then only four minutes later M.P. Sakeer scored the winner for the Goans.

10-Apr-2011: Indian Arrows 0-0 Pune FC (in Gurgaon)
In a mid-table clash Indian Arrows were held to a goalless draw by Pune FC in Gurgaon with both sides now on 23 points. PFC were the better of the two sides in the first session but they couldn't score of their few chances, while the Arrows came back stronger after the break with them also unable to break the deadlock.

11-Apr-2011: Salgaocar SC 0-1 (0-0) Air India (in Goa)
League leaders Salgaocar SC suffered a rare defeat against relegation fighting Air India in Goa. Salgaocar had more from the game, but unlike in earlier matches the Goans wasted their numerous chances as the Airmen mainly relied on counter attacks throughout the match. And then in the 87th minute Manjit Singh scored a surprise winner against a stunned Salgaocar.


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

I-League - Round 20: The title race is on

After the break for the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers the I-League restarted with the twenteenth Round of matches with matches played on April 2, 3 & 4 across India. Amongst the four Salgaocar, East Bengal and Dempo would all win; while Churchill Brothers only drew.


Round 20 Match by Match Short Review
04-Apr-2011: Air India 0-3 (0-0) East Bengal Club (in Kolhapur)
East Bengal Club scored their second 3-0 win in a row by beating Air India away in Kolhapur. Once more this season the red-and-golds Australian recruit Tolgay Ozbey was the hero of the day with a second half hattrick which has brought the Kolkata side back in the hunt for the I-League title.

03-Apr-2011: HAL, Bangalore 0-4 (0-1) Indian Arrows (in Bangalore)
The Indian Arrows are growing in stature by the day and international experience is giving them an added edge in the I-League. HAL suffered a humiliating 0-4 loss at the hands of the India youngsters, but the Airmen also missed regular defenders Rohit Chand and Femi Joseph Adeola due to double bookings), while right-back R. Sreekanth was out injured.
Onre more the man in form Jeje Lalpekhulua gave his side the opening goal and the Arrows went into the break with a 1-0 lead. After the break Jewel Sheikh Raja, Shilton D'Silva Malsawmfela would add to the tally.

03-Apr-2011: Pune FC 0-1 (0-0) Salgaocar SC (in Pune)
Salgaocar SC continued their title chase with a lone goal victory in Pune against local side Pune FC to stay top of the I-League. Salgaocar where the better of the two sides, but they missed a number of chances early on still they went on to win the game as seasoned Yakubu Yusif scored a 66th minute winner of a perfect long-ranger.

02-Apr-2011: Viva Kerala 4-1 (1-0) JCT (in Kannur)
Viva Kerala scored a vital 4-1 win against JCT in an I-League relegation game to ease the pressure on the Kerala side, while it got more on the Punjab Millmen. Viva Kerala took a first half lead through Sajesh P. following a corner and just after the break Karma T. would double the lead. It looked as if Viva Kerala would easily win this game, but JCT got a goal back through Ajay Singh, then they went out in search of the equaliser and forgot to defend as P.K. Anil Kumar would score a brace to give Viva Kerala a 4-1 win.

03-Apr-2011: Mumbai FC 0-0 Mohun Bagan AC (in Kolhapur)
Mumbai FC and Mohun Bagan AC played out a tame draw in Kolhapur with really nothing much at stake for the two sides in the I-League, who are stuck in the middle with no chance of the championship or having anything to do with relegation. But the two sides had chances through their African strikers, but none were on target on this day.

03-Apr-2011: Chirag United SC 2-4 (1-3) Dempo SC (in Kolkata)
Lately some of Chirag United SC home matches in the I-League have been enjoyable high scoring encounters. And once more they were on the losing side as they lost 2-4 against the defending champions Dempo SC. Ranti Martins Soleye gave Dempo an early lead which Roberto Mendes Silva would double off a penalty. Chirag United did reduce the deficit before the break through Shankar Oraon, but Peter Carvalho in injury time added a third for Dempo's. After the break Chirag United scored their second through Indian international Sunil Chhetri, but only minutes later Ranti Martins Soleye would seal the game for the Goans.

04-Apr-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 3-3 (1-0) ONGC (in Goa)
Churchill Brothers SC lost two vital points in their quest for a second I-League title against bottom of the table club ONGC in Goa. The entertaining match ended three-all, which gave the relegation fighting Oilmen a vital point in their fight for survival, while Churchill Brothers might have lost their last chance to regain the title. Boima Karpeh gave the Goans a first half lead, but after the break Badmus Babatunde got the equaliser for ONGC and twice more Churchill Brothers would take the lead before ONGC equalised. First a T. Bineesh Balan goal was egalised by N.D Opara, while Odafe Oyneka Okolie's goal gave his side the 3-2 lead, but Badmus Babatunde would score his second of the day to square things at three-all.


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

I-League to restart tomorrow

The fourth edition of the I-League, India's professional football league, will restart tomorrow with matches to be played over the next three days across India. The I-League had taken a three week break for the qualifiers of the 2012 AFC Challenge Cup.

Now the league restarts and will continue until it finishes on May 29 with the final round of matches of the 14 team league on that day. The title race and the fight for survival is open like rarely ever before with numerous clubs involved on both sides of the league table.


So who can win the title?

This seasons title is now for Salgaocar SC to lose. The Goans lead the table with 40 points from 17 matches, while Churchill Brothers are second with 39 points but having played 19 matches already. Early league leaders East Bengal Club are third on 35 points with defending champions Dempo SC are fourth on 34 points both having played 17 matches.

All these clubs still have to face each other, so they could be dropping a lot of points which means that anyone of these four clubs could win the I-League title 2010/11. Salgaocar's biggest drawback is that they are a young team who so far have been ably led by the foreign trio of Luciano Sabrosa, Ryuji Sueoka and Yakubu Yusif. But they have been playing at the top of their game and if they can maintain that for another couple of month's will have to be seen.

On that front the other three sides Churchill Brothers SC, East Bengal Club and Dempo SC have much more experience, which could come handy towards the end of the campaign. These clubs will depend on their foreign star strikers Odafe Onyeka Okolie (Churchill Bros), Tolgay Ozbey (East Bengal) and Ranty Martins Soleye (Dempo) to score.


Who could get relegated?

The fight for survival is a tough one this season. There is no club which is already so far away that they are doomed to be relegated and as last season showed you have to beware until the last match day, the last minutes to survive the drop.

At the moment newcomers ONGC look top candidate for the drop as they are bottom of the league with 11 points, while Air India and JCT have 14 points and Viva Kerala 15 points. JCT have played two matches less at 17 compared to the three other clubs, which is an advantage for the Millmen from Punjab. The young Indian Arrows with 19 points and promoted HAL with 20 points currently look unlikely to have anything to do with relegation, but a couple of wins for the clubs behind them, they lose a few and suddenly they could also be dragged into the relegation battle.

But relegation might not be decided on the field at all as ONGC, Air India and HAL haven't fully complied with the AFC Club Licensing criteria and might be barred from taking part in next seasons I-League, which could also effect the promotion process besides the relegation race.

I-League - Round 19: Jeje stars for Arrows

The nineteenth Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played on March 13 across India with other matches to be played in May. The pick of the matches was the Arrows 5-2 away win against Air India. The young boys are showing more and more maturity as the league is progressing.

Round 18 Match by Match Short Review
19-May-2011: Mumbai FC 0-1 (0-0) Dempo SC (in Kolhapur)
Dempo SC kept their title defence alive with a 1-0 away win against Mumbai FC in Kolhapur. MFC stay on 33 points from 25 matches, while Dempo SC move to 47 points from 23 games but to win the title they will have to win all their three remaining matches and with good margins as their goal difference is the worth amongst the title contenders.
After a goalless first half the golden Goal came from Nigerian sharp shooter Ranty Martins Soleye in the 72nd minute to win the game for the Goans.

22-May-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 2-0 (0-0) JCT (in Kolkata)
Mohun Bagan AC beat JCT in an I-League at the floodlit Saltlake Stadium, Kolkata. The Kolkata giants jumped into fifth place with now 34 points from 25 matches, while JCT stay on 24 points from 25 matches.
After a goalless first session the green-and-maroon took the lead on the hour mark through youngster Satish Kumar while seasoned Ashim Biswas doubled the lead in the 69th minute to seal the win.

13-Mar-2011: Pune FC 1-0 (0-0) ONGC (in Pune)
Pune FC needed an injury time goal to overcome Maharashtra rivals ONGC at home. The match was heading for a goalless ending when Mandjou Keita scored the winner for PFC, who earlier in the second half lost goalkeeper Subrata Pal due to a red card for a foul on an ONGC striker.

13-Mar-2011: Air India 2-5 (-) Indian Arrows (in Kolhapur)
Air India suffered a humiliating 2-5 defeat against the young, but ever improving Indian Arrows in Kolhapur. The Airmen took an early 6th minute lead through a Okorogor Nnabuike Praise free kick, but the lead was short lived as Manandeep Singh equalised only four minutes later. Thereafter the Jeje Lalpekhlua show started as the young striker would go on to score four goals in a row in the 16th, 17th, 72nd and 79th minute. O.N. Praise could only reduce the deficit in injury time.

19-May-2011: Salgaocar SC 3-2 (1-2) East Bengal Club (in Goa)
Salgaocar SC scored a crucial 3-2 comeback win against rivals East Bengal Club in Goa. After the match Salgaocar SC now have 53 points from 25 matches, while East Bengal remain on 47 points from 23 games; which leaves the chance to both sides still win the title.
East Bengal made a swift start into the game as the red-and-gold were up by two goals within 16 minutes. First Tolgay Ozbey was brought down by Khelemba Singh and Tolgay himself scored of the resultant penalty in the 10th minute. Then only six minutes later Baljit Singh Sahni would double the lead and it looked good for the Kolkata giants. But things changed when in the 33rd minute a Rino Anto shot went in. After the break Salgaocar put East Bengal under a lot of pressure and got the equaliser in the 79th minute through a Cajetan Fernandes shot. But it wasn't over yet as former East Bengal striker Yakubu Yusif headed in the winner in the 84th minute to the disbelieve of the red-and-gold as Salgaocar celebrated a memorable comeback.

13-Mar-2011: Viva Kerala 0-1 (0-0) Churchill Brothers SC (in Kannur)
In an open match Churchill Brothers SC rode on a Boima Karpeh second half goal to beat hosts Viva Kerala in Kannur. The Goans had the better chances in the game, while Viva Kerala really pressed for a goal after falling behind.

13-Mar-2011: HAL, Bangalore 1-1 (0-0) Chirag United SC (in Bangalore)
Home side HAL needed an injury time penalty to get a point against Chirag United SC. The Kolkata side had taken a 73rd minute lead through their Brazilian Josimar da Silva Martins, who beat the HAL defence and their keeper. When one thought that Chirag United would take home the three points their defence brought down a HAL player and seasoned R.C. Prakash would score of the resultant penalty.


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

I-League - Round 18: Title race heats up

The eighteenth Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played from March 8, 9 & 10 across India with the match between Indian Arrows and Salgaocar SC to be played in May.

Round 18 Match by Match Short Review
09-Mar-2011: East Bengal Club 3-0 (1-0) JCT (in Kolkata)
Federation Cup champions East Bengal Club returned to winning ways with a fluent 3-0 win against JCT at the Saltlake Stadium. This was mainly possible as the team welcomed back defender Uga Okpara plus midfielders Mehtab Hussain and Penn Ikechukwu Orji. This gave the red-and-gold much needed stability and creativity. Striker Baljit Singh Sahni scored on both sides of the break, once off a pass from Sanju Pradhan and the other from Penn Orji. The third East Bengal goal came of a nice Ravinder Singh strike.

08-Mar-2011: HAL, Bangalore 0-1 (0-1) Viva Kerala (in Bangalore)
Bangalore's HAL suffered an unexpected home loss to Viva Kerala in the I-League. The only goal of the match was scored by a long-ranger from Indian international striker N.P. Pradeep with Viva further chances to score in the match.

15-May-2011: Indian Arrows 1-3 (0-1) Salgaocar SC (in Gurgaon)
Salgaocar SC returned to winning ways with a 3-1 away win against the Indian Arrows in their postponed Round 18 match. The Goans are now top of the league again with 50 points from 24 matches, while the Indian Arrows stay on 26 points from 25 matches.
Initially it was the Arrows who put pressure on Salgaocar, but against the run of play the Goans took a 22th minute lead through their Japanese recruit Ryuji Sueoka. 10 minutes later the Arrows got a golden opportunity to equalise, but Lalrindika Ralte blasted his shot over the goal after he himself had been brought down. It was Ryuji Sueoka again who doubled the lead i the 63rd minute, but the Arrows stayed in the game when Holicharan Narzary reduced the deficit in the 80th minute, but a Cajetan Fernandes header a minute from time ensured Salgocar would take home the three points.

09-Mar-2011: Churchill Brothers SC 3-1 (1-0) Mumbai FC (in Goa)
Churchill Brothers SC won 3-1 against Mumbai FC though the club played without their coach Vincent Subramanian, who resigned a few days ago. But it didn't affect the Goans who got an early lead through Odafe Onyeka Okolie's penalty. Substitute Kayne Vincent gave the a confortable 2-0 second half lead before MFC's Ezeh Nna Henry would reduce the deficit, but Kayne would score again in injury time to confirm a 3-1 win for Churchill Brothers SC.

10-Mar-2011: Dempo SC 4-1 (-) Mohun Bagan AC (in Goa)
I-League champions Dempo SC thrashed Mohun Bagan AC 4-1 at home in a game which they could have won by an even bigger margin. Climax Lawrence gave the Goans a 27th minute lead which was doubled by Clifford Miranda only three minutes later. Ranty Martins Soleye sealed the match in the 47th minute with Dempo's third as Mohun Bagan at this stage looked vulnerable to concede a few more, but Dempo would only score once more through Clifford while Subair Muritala Ali reduced the deficit in the last minute of the game.

09-Mar-2011: ONGC 1-2 (0-1) Air India (in Kolhapur)
In a battle of survival between two Mumbai side the Airmen beat the Oilmen 2-1 in Kolhapur. Former international Manjit Singh gave the Airmen an early sixth minute lead and it stayed this way until the break. ONGC's Badmus Babathunde would equalise in the 53rd minute, but Allan Dias would give Air India the lead again in the 66th minute and it would remain this way until the end.

08-Mar-2011: Chirag United SC 1-0 (1-0) Pune FC (in Kolkata)
Shankar Oraon made a hero's return for Chirag United SC as he scored the lone goal winner in the gave against Pune FC. The Bengal youngster had been out for about six months and his goal of Josimar's pass gave the men in purple a much needed win to move them back into the top six and clear of the relegation battle, while Pune FC stay only five points clear of the relegation zone.


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

I-League - Round 17: Salgaocar march on, East Bengal stumble

The seventeenth Round of matches of the I-League 2010/11 were played from March 2 to 6 across India. While Salgaocar march on in their quest for a first title in 12 years, early pace setters East Bengal seem out of the race with another defeat.


Round 17 Match by Match Short Review
06-Mar-2011: East Bengal Club 1-2 (0-2) Mumbai FC (in Kolkata)
East Bengal Club suffered a 1-2 home defeat at the hands of Mumbai FC to weaken their position in the race of the I-League, some might even say this loss ended their chances to bring the title back to Kolkata. Mumbai FC took a 12th minute lead through Ezeh Nna Henry, whose brilliant out step long ranger went into the far corner of the net. The red-and-gold looked shocked and Ebi Theophilus Sukore made matters whose when he scored off a Henry pass in the 25th minute. The Kolkata side had more of the ball throughout, but they just didn't look threatening though they did score a consolation goal in the 92nd minute through substitute striker Biswarup Deb.

04-Mar-2011: Pune FC 2-1 (0-1) Air India (in Pune)
Pune FC needed a second half comeback to win 2-1 against Air India. The Airmen took a deserving first half lead through Okorogor Nnabuike Praise, but things changed after the break with PFC able to turn things around. First Brazilian Edmar Figueira equalised and then Japanese player of Indian origin Izumi Arata put them ahead with the result staying that way until the very end.

04-Mar-2011: Salgaocar SC 3-0 (0-0) HAL, Bangalore (in Goa)
Salgaocar continued their winning run with a 3-0 win against Bangalore's HAL at home in Goa. The job wasn't easy as they had to rely on three second half goals to keep the three points. The goals came from Yakubu Yusif, Gilbert Oliveira and Eneke Ikenwa.

02-Mar-2011: Indian Arrows 1-2 (0-1) Churchill Brothers SC (in Gurgaon)
The Indian Arrows suffered their first home defeat at the hands of former I-League champions Churchill Brothers SC in Gurgaon. The Goans won 2-1 with star striker Odafe Onyeka Okolie giving them an early 10th minute lead, while Kiwi substitute Kayne Vincent confirmed the win with an 88th minute strike. The Arrows were only able to reduce the deficit in the 90th minute through a lovely Jeje Lalpekhlua strike.

15-May-2011: JCT 2-2 (0-2) Chirag United SC (in Ludhiana)
JCT scored a vital comeback 2-2 draw against Chirag United SC at the floddlit Guru Nanak Stadium in Ludhiana. The point gained today takes JCT into 11th spot with 24 points from 24 matches out of the relegation zone, while Chirag United SC stay mid-table with 28 points from 24 matches.
The Kolkata side have only themselves to blame of not picking-up the three points. Their Brazilian striker Josimar da Silva Martins gave them a 2-0 half-time lead with goals in the 28th and 35th minute and it seemed the game was theirs, but JCT turned things around after the break. First Rahul Kumar reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute, then Gurtej Singh Jr. equalised in the 59th minute and it stayed two-all until the end.

05-Mar-2011: Mohun Bagan AC 2-1 (1-0) Viva Kerala (in Kolkata)
Mohun Bagan AC overcame a fighting Viva Kerala on a scorching afternoon at the Saltlake Stadium. The green-and-maroon took the lead in the 37th minute through a Subair Muritala Ali goal, which some thought could have been offside. Bagan had more of the chances also after the break, but especially Muritala was the culprit in missing chances. It needed the class of Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto, who came on as a substitute to win the game for his side. Viva Kerala could only reduce the deficit through a nice C.S. Sabeeth goal off Felix Chimaokwu.
05-Mar-2011: ONGC 0-1 (0-0) Dempo SC (in Kolhapur)
Dempo SC won 1-0 away to ONGC in Kolhapur to keep the pressure up on the I-League's top three, closing in on Salgaocar SC, Churchill Brothers SC and East Bengal Club. But it wasn't an easy game as the Goans had to wait until the 84th minute for Ranty Martins Soleye to score the winner.

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