THE I-LEAGUE STORY

THE MAJESTIC: Dempo SC won their second I-League title and fourth league title in six years, and this with no other contender in sight.


SOME SOLACE: Although Churchill Brothers held a lot of promise before the start of the league, for the third consecutive season, the top two teams are from Goa.


DREAM DEBUT: In their debut season, Pune FC did remarkably well to finish third and missed on the runners-up place by one point.


CURTAINS FOR JEEPMEN: It was a sad end to a bright story in annals of Indian football history for the red brigade. Mahindra United eventually finished fourth.


THE DISAPPOINTING: Mohun Bagan were the best finishers among Kolkata teams in fifth spot.


SOMETHING TO CHEER: Salgaocar SC despite fighting for relegation for the majority of the campaign, eventually finished sixth.


IN THE TOP HALF: JCT completed the top half after finishing above Chirag United due to a better head to head record.


OUT OF STEAM: Chirag United were one of the most consistent teams in the first phase, the Kolkata side ended in eighth position.


THE HORROR STORY: Kolkata giants East Bengal were very disappointing in the league and eventually finished in ninth spot.


SAVED IN TIME: Viva Kerala were one of the favourites to go down at the start of the season but they finished in tenth place and three points above safety.


JUST THERE: Mumbai FC was also tipped for relegation at the beginning of the campaign. Khalid Jamil’s side finished in 11th place.


BY THE THREAD: Another Mumbai outfit, Air India, also managed to beat the drop. The Airmen finished just one place and one point above the bottom two.


ESCAPED: Sporting Clube de Goa won their final round match and escaped relegaton. Thanks to Mahindra's exit they finished third from bottom.


IN AND OUT: Shillong Lajong’s first ever I-League campaign eventually ended in relegation.

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Sporting Clube win U-19 I-League

After the seniors barely escaped relegation from the I-League after  finishing third from bottom in the first division, the under-19 team of Sporting Clube de Goa redeemed some pride for the  club by winning the I-League for under-19 teams

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With Mahindra out, only one team to be relegated: Sporting

Sporting Clube de Goa opined that there was just one slot for relegation from I-League after Mahindra United had disbanded the team and that as such they were not to be relegated this year. Neither there is scope for the third team to be promoted from the Second Division, Victor Fernandes, vice-president stated.
In a letter addressed to Sunando Dhar, CEO, I-League, Victor said that he was seeking the clarification on the relegation issue.

 

ONGC I-League 2009-10 Round-up of 2nd round matches

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VIVA U-21, DOUBLE DELIGHT FOR GOA

It was a double delight for Goa as their Under-21 team annexed the Dutta Ray Trophy for the sixth time quelling the challenge of hosts Haryana 1-0 in the finals of the football championship at Tau Devi Lal Stadium, Haryana on Sunday afternoon. Goa had, earlier this season, won the coveted Santosh Trophy National Football Championship.

That apart, it was a grand double for Goa coach Alex Alvares of Sangolda and Goa Velha. He gets the rare honour for clinching the Trophy both as a coach this time as well as a player in 1992, when Armando Colaco was the coach... more
Youngsters benefit from tough lessons, says Indian coach

Sukhvinder Singh remained optimistic and had plenty of reason for hope that the young team would do well at November’s Asian Games in Guangzhou.

“The experience this young squad has gained here is invaluable and I know this will help them hugely at the Asian Games,” Singh said. “What they learned at this tournament will do them good later this year.”


The turbaned coach believed the biggest benefit will come from the fact that India, who was fielding their under-23 squad at this event, played against teams who approached the game differently.... more
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