Mumbai alive, but not kicking

There were two highly contrasting moments this season that kept the Mumbai interest alive in the I-League all through the 8-month period. Though inter-linked, those moments defined the status of football in the city.

First was the giants Mahindra United’s quest for the title. It looked increasingly possible that Mahindra, now disbanded, would end the four-year drought and bring back the trophy to Mumbai. That, in the end, proved to be distant dream.

What in fact was the reality also proved to be a harsh pill to swallow for the football aficionados in the city. There was a stage, albeit brief, wherein a danger of no teams from city featuring in the top flight next season loomed large. While Mahindra’s decision to disband their team effectively gifted the title to Dempo, so close were Air India and Mumbai FC to being relegated that their fate was decided only on the last day.

Both these teams will have to seriously rethink their strategies for the next season even to seize a mid-table finish.

The sole good news has been ONGC’s promotion to the elite division of the I-League, meaning that Mumbai will still be represented by three teams next season. But will any of them be title contenders? “The question rather should be whether or not they survive next season. This has been a season to forget for Mumbai clubs. We just wish and pray that things get better next season,” a former India international said.

Rafi, the silver lining
The only contribution by the city to Indian football this season has been Mahindra’s Mohammad Rafi. After spending three seasons in oblivion with Mahindra, Rafi came to the fore only this season and will be the one to watch out for in the next. Now, after spending most of his professional career in Mumbai, the striker will move to Goa to join Churchill Brothers in what is speculated to be a record deal in Indian football history. “Mumbai has been great and very kind to me but Goa is the place to be right now if you are a footballer. The place has got some really good teams and also the right-minded people who want to take the game forward,” Rafi said.

Doing it the right way
Rafi’s statement does make sense in many ways. With the I-League (started in 2007-08) title not moving out of Goa since its inception, it can safely be said that Goa has overtaken Kolkata as the football capital of the country. Credit should go to Dempo coach Armando Colaco and his boys for reclaiming the title from their rivals Churchill Brothers. Continuity is an important reason why Dempo won so convincingly despite filling half their quota of four permissible imports and after letting Sunil Chhetri pursue his dream in the USA. In the light of Mahindra shutting down, Dempo’s triumph — and the bright start by Pune FC — is also a corporate boost domestic football needed.

Setting new standards
Undoubtedly, Pune FC were the bunch who took many by surprise and also one of the better sides in the fray. Another team with a dedicated fan following, Pune brought in the much required professionalism that many clubs in the country are craving for, proving that if managed well, interest can be generated in Indian football too. On field, veteran coach Derrick Pereira marched his side on brilliantly to finish third. His shrewd tactics and some smart recruits at the start of the season paid rich dividends.

Out with a whimper
Lajong, who entered the league with a bang, went out with a whimper. Their debut season had almost everything — unthinkable results, unmatchable crowd support and few undeniable controversies. Such was the hostility while playing in Shillong that apparently a coach of a reputed team called up one of his counterparts on the eve of the match to warn him of the alleged ‘malpractices’ adopted by Lajong. Be it their officials sitting in the technical area during the match or watering of only one end of the field during half time against Mumbai FC, Lajong haven’t made many friends in their debut season. But what they did, and what they will be missed for, is the flavour they brought to the league this season.