Kolkata powerhouses struggle

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No Kolkata-based club has won the I-League over the last seven years owing to misplaced priorities and not lack of talent.

After all, in the 32nd Fed Cup in September 2010, Mohun Bagan trounced the current I-League champions Salgaocar (Goa) 6-1.

In the recent 4th I-League, the Kolkata team faded and finished sixth. Unless Bagan and East Bengal’s officials change their mindset, this trend will continue in the years to come. Since 2004, the winners have been Dempo (4 times), Mahindra United (10th NFL), Churchill Brothers (2nd I-League) and Salgaocar (4th I-League).

Kolkata club officials claim that they are the only supporter-based clubs in India and so field full strength sides in the local league. The local Kolkata Premier League concluded as the 4th I-League started in the first week of December ‘10. As the local and national leagues overlap, players of Bagan and East Bengal get jaded during the last rounds of the I-League and drop vital points in crucial encounters.

In contrast the Goa clubs, unaffected by colonial era history, do not give undue importance to domestic leagues and historic tournaments like the Durand and IFA Shield. They play second string sides in their local leagues and keep their main players fresh.

For instance, at the halfway stage of the recent 4th I-League, East Bengal, were on top with 31 point from 13 rounds. In the remaining 13 rounds they garnered just 20 points and so finished second.

The turning point came in the away match against Salgaocar. East Bengal led 2-0 within the first 20 minutes but succumbed to a 2-3 defeat.

Coach Trevor Morgan said the players were mentally tired. In contrast, champions Salgaocar were consistent gathering 28 points in both the first and second stage of the I-League to come first with 56 points.

History repeats itself. In the 2008-09 I-League, Bagan had a record sequence of ten wins on the trot. But then another slump, successive losses to both East Bengal and Churchill Brothers cost them the title. They finished runners-up.

Another factor is the downslide after loss of face in the emotional derby match at Kolkata. Before the 13th round tie between Bagan and East Bengal, Karim Bencharifa, Salgaocar’s astute coach was quite clairvoyant. He said that the only chance for other clubs was if East Bengal dropped points in this vital match.

Real and Barcelona are also steeped in history. Their clash is the biggest derby in the world but the players are professional enough not to let the result affect their future in any competition.

This does not happen in Kolkata. Goa is the new face of Indian football.