Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay
NEW DELHI: Aizawl FC set the 2nd Division league ablaze since the beginning. Their fellow oppositions are just falling naive facing the lightening speed of Aizawl FC. The stupendous coordination and core team composition has been their key to success throughout. Lone Star Kashmir FC to Kenkre, none could ascertain a robust defence against the Mizo guys. They got underway with a 4-1 whipping over Lonestar Kashmir FC followed by another victory against Kenkre by the same margin. While Mohammedan SC and Hindustan FC could showcase some resistance against the Mizoram powerhouse, PIFA Sports and United SC just got annihilated. At the end of the 6th round, Aizawl FC are enjoying the top berth with 18 points and odds-on in favour of Aizawl FC are significantly high.
Lonestar Kashmir FC are the surprise package this season who received plaudits from every corner of Indian football, thanks to their valiant football. After 68 years of independence, Kashmir is on the verge of having their own team in the I-League, a revelation indeed and an exemplary anecdote for Indian football. They got overpowered by Mizoram powerhouse Aizawl FC in their opening round, but since then they are on a 4-match winning streak. They got the better of veteran Black Panthers; held their nerve till the end and triumphed over Chanmari FC, encashed on their never dying attitude and prevailed over the mumbai duos PIFA Sports as well as Kenkre.
Chanmari FC fell short of attacking options against the Black Panthers and had to leave the pitch with a solitary point. Apart from that enthralling faceoff, they had overpowered whoever they encountered. They have netted 20 goals in the 6 matches, second only to Aizawl FC, who have scored three more in as many outings. Chanmari FC have amassed 11 points so far, only to have beaten to Lonestar Kashmir FC on last match day.
Mohammedan SC has come to Siliguri amidst all odds. The technical committee got overhauled, major change in coaching staff and players and last but not the least the financial hiccup- the Black Panthers have stood tall against all odds. Incidentally, the officials were almost up to shut the shop owing to the financial difficulties. Nevertheless, they rejuvenated well under the tutelage of Ananta Ghosh. They opened their account with a win over local rival United Sports Club, but they had to swallow back to back defeats against Lonestar Kashmir FC and Aizawl FC. After third game week, their campaign was going haywire and they were looking like a ship without rudder. Albeit the Mumbai clubs were at the receiving end against the Kolkata outfit, they could only salvage a draw against mighty Chanmari FC. As they gained their confidence of late, they look like a serious contender for the cherished I-League berth.
United SC has been going through a roller coaster ride since the start of the season. The management have a daunting task ahead to run the show smoothly amid all the financial blues. The purple brigade are heavily counting on their yesteryear hero Eric Brown who is reciprocating well till now. While the rapid football of Aizawl FC and Chanmari FC were the reason behind their failure, inexperience cost them another match against fellow city rival Mohammedan SC. United SC managed to register three wins against PIFA, Kenkre and Delhi-based team Hindustan FC. As Aizawl FC, Chanmari FC and Lonestar Kashmir FC are shifting their gears to grab the I-League berth, United SC looks somewhat sluggish and they are appearing apprehensive right now.
Hindustan FC has a very long history since they started in 1948. Unfortunately the financial dilemma has thwarted their I-League dream time and again and this season has seen no alteration at all. They started their sojourn decently with a draw against PIFA, but since then they fell flat and got crushed by Chanmari FC. They dished out some valiant football against Aizawl FC only to lose at the dying minutes. They registered their sole win against Kenkre who are about to sign off with the wooden spoon. It looks like the holy grail of Indian football, an I-League berth, is going to circumvent the Delhi team for another season as they could only accumulate 5 points to date.
The Mumbai pair has been struggling since the inception of Second Division League. Aizawl FC, Chanmari FC, Lonestar Kashmir FC has caused real carnage against them and these Mumbai outfits could not safeguard themselves from being humiliated time and again. PIFA dished out a scintillating display against Chanmari FC in the 6th round and they were on the verge of staging a huge upset in 2nd Division League 2015, but a last minute penalty in favour of the Mizoram team denied them a historical win. Kenkre could not open their book yet and they have to upgrade their game to the next level to outwit others. Nevertheless, they would leave the pitch with a mammoth experience which would aid them next season.
Second Division I-League (After Game Week 6)
Aizawl FC – 18 points
Lonestar Kashmir FC – 13 points
Chanmari FC – 11 points
