By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay
I-League Media

NEW DELHI: Mariners have seen both flips of the coin this year. Even after they plundered the Hero I-League trophy from Bengaluru FC’s grasp on 31st may, they were severely hurt financially, a plight which should not affect the numero uno of Indian football, who enjoy such a humongous fan base. Such is the brutality of football, the brisk change would leave you at a crossroad with no direction at all.

The Mariners had a decent outing last year in U-19 I-League and snatched the gate pass to the national round in a palpable way. Even after they were handed a shattering loss in the first outing by the purple troop, they came back strongly and dished out meticulous performances one after another. They regrouped stupendously and dashed arch rivals East Bengal and Mohammedan SC and took it to one step forward to the national round. Eventually, the Mariners had to stoop to mighty AIFF Elite Academy, Pune FC, Salgaocar FC who pelted Bagan boys with their exuberant ballgame. The campaign, which started with Himalayan hope, smoked up with much ignominy and pain.

The Bagan colts won’t mind to take a leaf out their own book this year. The Mariners’ attacking line, comprising of Jerry Dresenas, Pulamte Lironthung Lotha and Azaharuddin, can smack any opponent on any given day. Mohammedan SC were the hapless outfit while Azaharuddin loaded them with 4 goals. Pintu Mahata, the brawny bloke in the midfield, steers the team well and there’s no prize for guessing that he is the most rightful candidate to own the armband. The cadets, who hone themselves under the watchful guidance of yesteryear stalwart Jo Paul Ancheri, played two practice matches against Burdwan University Football Team and CISF Football Team before the start of the tournament.

The gaffer generally prefers 4-4-2 combination, where Anirban Manna and Manik Halder shoulder the enormous duty to keep a vigil on rival attackers.

Jo Paul Anchery, the astute football brain sounds pretty prudent ahead of the tournament, “Our first objective is to qualify for the National Round. The boys are determined as the senior team won the Hero I-League last year and now it’s their time to prove in national stage. The competition will be tremendous and we’ve to flummox our opponents to get the better of them.”