New Delhi: It was a day of mixed feelings for the I-League clubs on Monday. While Salgaocar FC were jubilant after winning the I-League, there was confusion in the camps of three clubs under the threat of relegation. The clubs, all having 24 points, were in a fix and made frantic calls to All India Football Federation (AIFF) to know their fate.
There was a record, too, in the I-League on Monday as Dempo SC slammed 14 goals past hapless Air India in Margao. Although the result raised many eyebrows, Dempo are now firmly placed to take the runners-up spot.
Salgaocar won the title for the second time since tasting success in the 1998-99 season. On Monday, they made short work of JCT 2-0 in Ludhiana to finish at the top of the table on 56 points from 26 matches. Francis Fernandes gave Salgaocar the lead in the 13th minute while Yusif Yakubu added another in the 85th minute.
Salgaocar coach Karim Bencherifa said that his team has succeeded in providing a bunch of talented youngsters to Indian football. “Salgaocar’s success is a triumph of Indian football,” Karim said from Ludhiana.
“Before the start of the season, few people knew about Gilbert (Oliveira), Anthony (Barbosa) or Francis (Fernandes). Yet, these boys worked hard to develop an understanding between themselves and succeeded in realising their dream.
“These are young and talented boys, full of enthusiasm. Indian football has gained from our victory... We have succeeded in expanding the pool of players,” Karim said.
When Karim crossed over to Salgaocar from Mohun Bagan midway through the last season, the Goa team had only 10 points from 13 matches. He not only lifted the morale of the team but also added a whole lot of new faces to the side. He has gradually built the team and the coach said his job is not finished.
“My job is not yet finished,” said the coach. “We have already identified a pool of 30 players for the next season and the work will start at the right earnest. We are not losing many players as most of the footballers are on a two-year contract.”While there was no question about Salgaocar’s superiority, four teams are huddled in the relegation zone.
Air India, JCT and ONGC have 24 points each and HAL are at the bottom with 21 points. “The relegation rule is clear and there is no confusion about it,” said I-League Chief Executive Officer Sunando Dhar.
“Rule says if the points are same, the head to head results between the concerned teams would be taken into account. The final picture will only emerge after the Dempo-HAL match,” he said.
If HAL lose, then they will finish last. And the other team would be ONGC as they got minimum points in head to head battle against JCT and Air India. In case HAL put it across Dempo, then ONGC and JCT would be relegated.
