Air India, Mahindra in a spot

S. Ayyappa Swamy

After six rounds in the fifth National Football League, the writing is stark on the wall for the two Bombay teams -- Air-India and Mahindra United. Buck up or be left behind to fight for the lower positions and, maybe, even to avoid relegation (presuming there is one, for one never knows how many times the All India Football Federation changes its decisions).

While Air-India have produced enterprising and entertaining performances, it has got them nowhere, as they even lost their first home match to East Bengal.

It was a narrow 0-1 defeat, which came purely due to a defensive error after the desi team had evenly locked horns with the Calcutta giants, who played four foreigners.

Air-India have just five points, and unless their strikers start doing the job they are paid for, this Bombay outfit is slotted for relegation.

East Bengal's three points takes them to 13, one short of Mohun Bagan, whom they meet in a home tie next on Saturday at Calcutta.

Air India's city mates, Mahindra United, the Harwood League champions, on the other hand are not even playing entertaining football. They are on six points with a minus goal difference. And, had it not been for some breathtaking saves by India goalkeeper Virender Singh, they would have even lost the one point they salvaged from the draw against the resurgent Vasco, in Margao, Goa.

Vasco, one of the three unbeaten teams, are now placed third along with F C Kochin and Salgaocar, on 12 points.

The other two undefeated teams in the 12-team league Mohun Bagan and F C Kochin played out an entertaining and exciting 2-2 draw at Kochi. The Calcutta giants were all set to break Kochin's home unbeaten run and were leading 2-1 till former India skipper Jo Paul Ancheri came up with a stunning 35-yard free-kick which would have pleased even the master, Roberto Carlos. A draw was a good result in the end.

With coach Gregroy T. back on the bench, Churchill Brothers, who had beaten JCT for their first win in the fifth round, were expected to pick up the gauntlet, though a bit late in the league. The match was heading for a 1-1 draw when Salgaocar, the former champions, came up with an 80th minute goal through Dharamjit Singh. Churchill, like Air-India, who they take on next in Bombay, and Mahindra United, need some inspirational play and it will certainly not come if their 'Big Daddys' -- Churchill and Joaquim Alemao -- keep interfering with the technical running of the club.

Like Air-India, Indian Telephone Industries caved in against Tollygunge Aggragami in Bangalore. They conceded a goal and gifted three points to the undeserving Calcutta side. It was the first victory for Tollygunge. ITI, who have Mohd. Habib as coach and even a sprinkling of foreign players, are on four points.

State Bank of Travancore were all set to start off on the right foot in their first home match, but JCT, champions of the first year, had other ideas as Harinder Singh struck in the 87th minute to neutralize SBT's goal.

Best goal: Jo Paul Ancheri’s 35-yard free-kick for FC Kochin against Mohun Bagan.

Best match: FC Kochin drew with Mohun Vasco 2-2 at Kochi. A honourable result which kept both teams unbeaten so far.

Disappointment (sic): A defence-oriented Tollygunge Aggragami defeating ITI in Bangalore.

Results of the sixth round:

FC Kochin drew with Mohun Bagan 2-2 at Kochi.
Vasco drew with Mahindra United 0-0 at Margao
Zee Churchill Bros. lost to Salgaocar 1-2 at Margao
Air-India lost to East Bengal 0-1 at Bombay
ITI lost to Tollygunge Aggragami 0-1 at Bangalore
SBT drew with JCT 1-1 at Thiruvananthapuram.

Related reports:

FC Kochin lead National Football League race
F C Kochin stay ahead
Salgaocar close in on early leaders
Mohun Bagan well-placed after five rounds

5th National Football League
How the teams stand
Teams		P	W	D	L	F	A		Pts	GD
M Bagan		6	4	2	0	11	5		14	6
East Bengal		6	4	1	1	9	3		13	6
Salgaocar		6	4	0	2	11	7		12	4
FC Kochin		6	3	3	0	11	8		12	3
Vasco		6	3	3	0	6	3		12	3
Mahindra		6	1	3	2	3	4		6	-1
Churchill		6	1	2	3	7	6		5	1
ITI		6	1	2	3	2	4		5	-2
Air-India		6	1	2	3	4	8		5	-4
Tollygunge		6	1	2	3	2	6		5	-4
JCT		6	0	3	3	4	10		3	-6
SBT		6	0	3	3	3	9		3	-6