St. Joseph’s-CFA senior division league: All-star 11

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We don’t know whether players and coaches look forward to Deccan Chronicle’s All-Star XI at the end of the season. But it is one practice we indulge in every year.

A list of this kind is bound to be contentious because serious followers of the Chennai league tend to cling on to their own opinions regarding who is hot and who is not.

The All-Star XI and the list of substitutes have been arrived at on the performance of the individual throughout the league.

So don’t be shocked to find representation to players whose teams are involved in the relegation battle.

By the same token, don’t get furious at the absence of players from teams that have finished on the top half of the table. Our focus isn’t on collective performance.

Not surprisingly, Chennai Customs and AGORC have supplied the lion’s share of players — four each — to the All-Star XI.

ICF’s contribution has dwindled dramatically, with right-winger S. Suresh Kumar being the only player to get the nod.

FCI’s pathetic season hasn’t prevented two of their players - Saravana Kumar and Charles Anandaraj - from winning places in the main XI.

The formation will be 4-4-2, which is favoured by almost all teams in the senior division. S. Grand Duraipandian of Customs will coach DC’s All-Star XI and RPF’s Chitharaju will be his deputy.

disappointments of the season

From fine team performances to stellar individual efforts, the St. Joseph’s-CFA senior division league has witnessed plenty of memorable moments this season.

Quite naturally, there were disappointments, too, during Chennai’s top football competition.
Here is the lowdown on the jarring notes.

* The senior division matches were scheduled to start at 5 pm every day but the CFA ad-hoc committee wasn’t able to stick to the time throughout.

Towards the end, 5.20 became the fixed starting time. From next year, it will be better if the kick-off is made 5.30.

* The league suffered frequent interruptions to accommodate athletic events. As long as the association’s long-standing ambition of getting an own ground remains unfulfilled, the league will continue to be affected.

* FCI committed the cardinal sin of sending out 10 players in the match against Arrows. Fans were shocked to see a senior division team not being able to adhere to one of the basic principles of a football match.

* Customs are probably the most popular team in Chennai football these days. There is an unmistakable buzz at the Nehru Stadium whenever Customs play.

But some fans of Customs took their passion too seriously by forming a group behind the dugout and shout instructions to the players.

Official coach S. Grand Duraipandian had many competitors to contend with this season.

* Tamil Nadu Police coach M. Elango set a bad precedent by barging into the field to question a penalty awarded against team in the Customs match.

He repented his action later but the damage had already been done. A coach should confine his work to the touchline; he has no business in the middle.

* Indian Bank started the league with the intention of winning it. But they had to be content with fourth place, a disastrous result considering the fact that they had three foreigners.

* The quality of foreigners players — there were six in the fray — left a lot to be desired., even though the imports tallied 26 goals.

* ICF, the most successful team in Chennai, haven’t won the title in the last five seasons. P. Thulasi has everything — pedigree, playing experience and coaching badges a top coach needs — but he isn’t able to bring the crown back to Perambur.

Thulasi’s harsh words from the sidelines haven’t had the desired results. Maybe the time has come to tone down his criticism and enjoy the game.

* A lot was expected from ICF left-winger Santha Kumar but the former Mohun Bagan player didn’t make any impact. Is Santha reserving his best for the next season?

* The goalless and soulless draw between AGORC and Chennai FC will stick out like a sore thumb until the next season. Even though AGORC’s title chances depended on the Chennai result, they appeared content with a draw. The fans were left seething.