F C Kochin stay ahead

S. Ayyappa Swamy

So, finally, Indian football is back on the rails after a month's hiatus to conduct the Millennium Cup football tournament, or Millennium shock, as some would reckon.

The third round of the National Football League held last week did not spring many surprises unlike the previous two rounds in December 2000. Yet, FC Kochin's victory over Churchill Brothers, the runners-up in the centenary Rovers Cup tournament, is nothing short of astonishing.

As mentioned earlier, Kochin could barely put up 11 players at the start of the league. They got reinforcements in the form of five Liberians and all they added to it was a half-fit Jo Paul Ancheri and an ageing I M Vijayan. But Sreedharan's team, which became the fourth major to be gobbled up by liquor baron Vijay Mallya, who has lent his 'Ice' to the team from the South, is now looking really good.

Having bested Salgaocar and drawn with Vasco in away ties, Kochin took the stuffing out of the third Goan side by the odd goal in three at home. And they continue to be ahead of defending champions Mohun Bagan, who, too, are on seven points, on more goals scored.

Apparently all is not well in the Churchill set-up. A little bird tells us that Uzbeki coach T. Gregory's policies have not gone down well with the players and second coach P.M. Sivadas. And there is a little uprising brewing up in the side over the inductment of veteran Igor Shkvirin, topscorer of the fourth NFL. What is evident is that some soft decisions are being taken to maintain good relationships though what is needed is a brave approach.

The defending champions, of course, came out of a sticky match against the much-improved Indian Telephone Industries with a none-too-impressive win at home. Incidentally, R C Prakash, who has got two goals to his credit now, used to play for ITI until last year.

If Mohun Bagan had a stuttering start, their citymates East Bengal were convincing winners over State Bank of Travancore. And after the loss to ITI in the second round, the result must have provided some succour to the red and golden brigade. Moreover, it was also a good start for Manoranjan Bhattacharjee, who replaced Syed Nayeemuddin as coach. The enigmatic Nayeem, the only football player to have won both the Arjuna and the Dronacharya awards, quit after East Bengal lost to Mohun Bagan in the semi-final of the Rovers Cup.

East Bengal and Salgaocar are on par with six points. The Goan side got back-to-back victories but only after a struggle with Jagatjit Cotton Textile Mills in a home match, with Climax Lawrence scoring from the 'spot'.

Like Churchill, even Mahindra United need to take tough decisions. Despite being a depleted side, they have enough power to at least get past struggling teams like Tollygunge Aggragami. Surprisingly, they handed Tollygunge their first point on a platter in an away tie.

Best goal: Nothing sensational but R.C. Prakash is the nominee for getting his second goal.

Best match: East Bengal vs SBT in Calcutta. Result: 3-1.

Disappointment: Mahindra United conceding an easy point to Tollygunge.

Results of the third round:
FC Kochin beat Zee Churchill at Kochi 2-1
Vasco drew with Air-India 1-1 at Margao
East Bengal beat SBT 3-1 at Calcutta
Mohun Bagan beat ITI 1-0 at Calcutta
Salgaocar beat JCT 1-0 at Margao
Tollygunge drew with Mahindra United 0-0 at Calcutta.