It's a mind game in battle for I-League crown

The All India Football Federation has creditably revamped the 11th Hero I-League fixtures, as the title race is precariously poised. A nail-biting finish is on the cards. Hence, title favourites Minerva Punjab FC and East Bengal are both playing their last matches simultaneously at 2 pm on March 8.

East Bengal are at home to North Eastern ReOrganising Cultural Association FC and Minerva Punjab FC meet Churchill Brothers.

Earlier, East Bengal were to play their last match against Shillong Lajong but now that has been switched to March 4.

The last day of fixtures should be fascinating as Neroca are still mathematically in a position to win the I-League. They are on 31 points from 17 matches. If they upset East Bengal, they will finish with 34 points.

The pressure of being favourites is making an impact on the youthful exuberance of Minerva Punjab FC. They have lost their last two home matches, at Panchkula to East Bengal and Gokulam Kerala FC and so could stumble.

Minerva are on 29 points from 15 matches and need six points from three matches to clinch the title. They have two home matches against Aizawl FC (February 26) and Churchill Brothers (March 8) and an away game against Chennai City FC (March 2). If they stutter and Neroca can pull of an upset win, the I-League can have another unlikely winner.

East Bengal are on 26 points from 15 matches and have to win all their last three matches against Chennai City FC (February 24 at home) Shillong Lajong and Neroca.

The psychological pressure on all three teams is immense. It has become a mind game. The team that can sustain the pressure till the last day will win the title. A riveting finish to the 11th I-League is on the cards. The situation on March 8, 2018, could be similar to March 16, 1997, when both JCT (ultimate champions) and Churchill Brothers started their last matches simultaneously in the inaugural Philips National Football League and were in a position to win it.

The situation is more complicated due to complicated I-League rules regarding demotion. The new franchise Gokulam and the experimental team Indian Arrows are exempt from relegation. Hence four teams — Shillong Lajong (21 points from 17 matches), Aizawl FC (18 points from 15 matches), Chennai City FC (16 points from 16 matches) and Churchill Brothers (16 points from 15 matches) — are fighting to stave off relegation. So these four teams will compete tenaciously and may upset the applecart of one of the favourites.

Chennai City have have the toughest schedule as they have to play both title aspirants East Bengal and Minerva FC. Shillong Lajong look safe at 21 points but their last match is against East Bengal. If they lose on March 4, their young team will spend sleepless nights wondering if Churchill Brothers and Chennai City fail to win their matches.

Aizawl’s demanding schedule, under new coach Santosh Kashyap, also ends on March 2.They meet Indian Arrows (at home), and Minerva FC and Gokulam (away). Gokulam have rapidly improved and have won five of their last six matches. So the battle to avoid relegation is as thrilling as the race to become champions.