Three in close race

S. Ayyappa Swamy

Two desi teams played in what was probably the best match of the fifth National Football League. Unfortunately, with no foreigners being a major criteria for drawcard, not much would be read into Air-India's 4-3 win over Jagatjit Cotton Textile Mills, Phagwara, in Ludhiana.

Coincidentally, the coaches of both sides are award winners -- JCT's Sukhwinder Singh was voted best coach in the inaugural year of the league while Air-India's Bimal Ghosh won the award in the second.

And Ghosh is mighty thrilled with Monday's result. Why wouldn't he? For, his players have dominated every match so far but gone on to concede silly goals and lose. In the cool temperatures of the north, the airmen were down 1-3 at half-time, and who would have perceived a revival. But that's what arguably the fittest side in the NFL did, and that too sans their best player -- Khalid Jamil, who did not travel due to two yellow cards.

In 15 minutes, the airmen turned tables on their rivals with three goals and that, Ghosh hopes would bring about a reversal in their fortunes. He is also targeting Mohun Bagan, who they play next in Bombay, on March 2. The defending champions have lost two and drawn one of their last three matches.

Current leaders East Bengal and FC Kochin are heading towards a humdinger when the two sides meet in Calcutta in the 11th round. Before that, of course, they have two rounds of matches remaining. And if current form is the true indicator, neither East Bengal nor FC Kochin look like losing any of them.

East Bengal beat Mahindra United 2-0 while Kochin put one across the defiant Tollygunge Aggragami. Both matches were in Calcutta.

Mahindra United defender Christopher, who is otherwise having an excellent NFL, now has the dubious distinction of scoring the first self-goal. He helped East Bengal’s cause to a large extent. What coach Shabbir Ali and Mahindra needed after a fine victory over Churchill Bros. was another victory or a draw at the least. A loss is indeed a big blow, yet, considering that East Bengal are on a high, the Mumbai champions did well to keep the margin of victory down.

On the other hand, Goan champions Churchill Brothers got out of the rut with a splendid 2-0 win over Mohun Bagan. While Igor Shkvrin and Andre Requena got the goals, goalkeeper Edward Ansah was another hero, denying the likes of Jose Barretto and Rajindra Prasad Singh any goals.

Close behind East Bengal and FC Kochin is Salgaocar, who too, slowly and surely, are consolidating their position. While East Bengal have seven wins so far, Kochin and Salgaocar are on six. Salgaocar got their sixth with two early goals against State Bank of Travancore and then managed to hold them out for nearly 75 minutes.

Debutants Vasco had Indian Telephone Industries by the scruff of the neck but Peter Rodrigues made a hash of three gilt-edged chances and the Goan side had to remain content with a draw.

Best goal: Nothing exciting… but could we include Christopher's self-goal for Mahindra United against East Bengal.

Best match: Air-India beating JCT 4-3 after being down 1-3 at half-time in an away match.

Disappointment: Vasco unable to translate their domination against ITI at Margao, Goa.

Results of the ninth round:
JCT lost to Air-India 3-4 at Ludhiana
Vasco drew with ITI 0-0 at Margao, Goa.
East Bengal beat Mahindra United 2-0 at Calcutta
Churchill Brothers beat Mohun Bagan 2-0 at Margao, Goa
Salgaocar beat SBT 2-0 at Margao, Goa
FC Kochin beat Tollygunge Aggragami 1-0 at Calcutta

Related reports:
FC Kochin lead National Football League race
F C Kochin stay ahead
Salgaocar close in on early leaders
Mohun Bagan well-placed after five rounds
Air India, Mahindra in a spot - Summary of Round 6
East Bengal high in the saddle - Summary of Round 7
East Bengal on top for second week - Summary of Round 8