Bagan, E Bengal set for close finish

S Ayyappa Swamy

Barring two small changes in the 12-team table, with Indian Telephone Industries and Salgaocar moving up a place, there were no significant postitional developments in the 19th round of the fifth National Football League. Yet, there was plenty of action and thrills, some taking place off the field too.

But the prize for the 'Most Boring Match' should go to the two title-contenders East Bengal and Mohun Bagan, who now, surely, appear the only two candidates in the race, as the others, like FC Kochin, Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar and Vasco, have more or less been left behind.

It was the return match of the NFL, with East Bengal having won the first leg encounter. The multitudes who had thronged the Salt Lake stadium went away disappointed as not a single goal emanated after an insipid 90 minute encounter.

The players were so focused and uptight about the whole thing that planning and strategy went for a toss and that resulted in a shared-points match.

It left the two sides in similar situations. Three matches in hand -- two away and one at home. And both playing their last-round matches away from Calcutta. East Bengal seem to have the tougher matches, as they take on Vasco at home and FC Kochin and SBT in away ties. Mohun Bagan host Salgoacar and then move on to away matches against Vasco and ITI.

State Bank of Travancore played the perfect spoilers in the last week. Of course, it served to their selfish purposes too. Along with JCT and ITI, they were the only side not to score an away win. Now only the Ludhiana side has this dubious distinction. The Travancore bankmen, who have former India player Mohd. Najeeb as coach, pulled a rabbit out of their hats by shocking the multi-rich Mahindra United outfit from Bombay.

And this came amidst strong rumours that Mahindra have sacked their coach Shabbir Ali and put Harish Rao in charge. Rao was also put in charge when the jeepmen had shunted out S S Hakim last year. Last year, Rao had 18 matches to show some thing but this time he takes charge after 18 matches and only four remaining.

They have three tough matches and all against teams with more points. Significantly, Mahindra United have lost to all four teams, who were below them before this round, in the second leg. And they are: ITI, Air-India, JCT and now SBT. They need to tighten their shoe-laces if they harbour hopes of avoiding relegation. It would take the best of Rao's psychology degree to bring out the best in his side which is already sporting a beaten look.

If thwarting Mahindra United was not enough, they took a point against FC Kochin, who had earlier played out a goalless draw against JCT in Ludhiana in a 19th round match, in Kochi. This was a 20th round match the result of which means that Kochin are certain to fight for places in the top five rather a No.1 or 2. Moreover, it was the last chance to pick up some easy points as Kochin have two tough away matches against East Bengal and Zee Churchill coming up.

SBT, who are on 17 points with a humongous goal-difference, are playing both their matches at home and everybody knows what tough tigers they are in their own backyard. Out of nine matches so far, they have won two, big ones -- against Salgaocar and Mohun Bagan -- drawn four and lost three.

Another shocker was provided by Indian Telephone Industries, who, like SBT, scored their first away win, by getting the better of former champions Salgaocar at Goa. It was a come-from-behind win which sees them tighten the safety-belt around their waists. The result of 20th round match against Air-India in Bangalore would be a clear indicator as to who remains in the NFL and who gets demoted.

With Goa seeing a spurt of matches, now that there is no more cricket at the Nehru stadium, two more matches were played last week. Churchill Brothers got the better of Air-India, who now are the only team with defeats in double figures, 2-1 and Vasco let Tollygunge escape with a goalless draw.

Best goal: T. Shabbir Ali from 35 yards for SBT against Mahindra United.

Best match: SBT defeating Mahindra United 3-2 at Bombay for their first away win.

Disappointment: Mohun Bagan and East Bengal playing out a goalless draw in their return match.

Great Escape: Tollygunge escaping defeat againt a rampaging Vasco at Margao.

Results of the 19th round:

Mohun Bagan drew with East Bengal 0-0 at Calcutta
JCT drew with FC Kochin 0-0 at Ludhiana
SBT beat Mahindra United 3-2 at Bombay
Churchill Bros. beat Air-India 2-1 at Goa
Vasco drew with Tollygunge Aggragami 0-0 at Goa
Vasco lost to Salgaocar 0-1 at Goa.

Schedule for the 20th round:

April 16: FC Kochin drew with SBT 1-1 at Kochi
April 17: Zee Churchill vs Tollygunge at Goa
April 18: Vasco vs East Bengal
April 20: Mohun Bagan vs Salgaocar at Calcutta; ITI vs Air-India at Bangalore; Zee Churchill vs Mahindra at Goa
April 21: Tollygunge vs JCT at Calcutta
April 23: Vasco vs. Zee Churchill.