FC Goa occupy table-top position
FC Goa became the second Hero Indian Super League side to book their place in the play-offs after a convincing 3-0 win over Kerala Blasters FC in Margao Monday.
Quickfire goals in the first half from Ferran Corominas (22') and Edu Bedia (25') and a third by Hugo Boumous (78') helped the hosts do the double over the Kerala outfit in the season.
To make the result all the more sweeter, the Gaurs have leapfrogged Bengaluru FC to go top of the table. Goa has 31 points from 16 games same as Bengaluru FC but with a better goal difference now occupies table top position. On other hand, Kerala Blasters, remain ninth after slumping to their seventh loss of the season.
FC Goa were on the money right from the start as Jackichand Singh threatened the Kerala defence as he twisted and turned the likes of Lalruatthara and Anas Edathodika on a couple of occasions. One of his efforts did beat Dheeraj Singh but came off the woodwork, much to Kerala's relief.
Kerala then found the back of the net through Slavisa Stojanovic after a quick interplay with Matej Poplatnik. However, the linesman had his flag raised after Courage Pekuson was deemed to be in an offside position.
Goa got a deserved breakthrough midway into the first half through Ferran Corominas. Brandon Fernandes' cross from the left was headed home with ease by the Spaniard after he was afforded a lot of space inside the box by Anas Edathodika and Sandesh Jhingan.
In the 25th minute, Edu Bedia doubled the lead by slotting the ball into an empty net. This was after Anas sent a back-pass to Dheeraj whose clearance was straight at Corominas. The Spaniard took a touch and laid the ball on a platter for Bedia who applied the finishing touch to make matters worse for the visitors.
Goa continued to see more of the ball with Kerala struggling to create any opportunity of note.
However, the first chance in the second half fell to Kerala when Sahal Samad let loose from outside the box which finally forced a save from Goa custodian Naveen Kumar. But that was about it for Kerala, with Goa exerting control.
Before the hour mark, Ahmed Jahouh sent a brilliant ball over the top for Corominas who made a bustling run and managed to get beyond Anas and Dheeraj only for a last-ditch tackle from Poplatnik to avert the danger.
Jahouh could have added his name on the score-sheet with a long-range effort which went inches wide of Dheeraj's goal.
Goa sealed the victory in the 78th minute when the substitute Hugo Boumous dribbled past a couple of players and evaded the challenge from Jhingan to beat Dheeraj at his near post to make it 3-0.
There were late chances for Goa to increase their tally with Bedia seeing a wonderful lob over Dheeraj Singh come back off the post. However, Serio Lobera would not have been disappointed, having notched their fifth clean sheet in a row.
Top I-League clubs say ISL promoters interfering, wants clarity on future
Miffed at what they feel'a plan to kill the clubs' amidst 'interference' by promoters of ISL, top I-League teams such as Mohun Bagan and East Bengal Monday sought an urgent appointment with All India Football Federation president Praful Patel.
Besides the big two from Kolkata, league leaders Chennai City FC, Churchill Brothers, defending champions Minerva Punjab FC, Neroca FC, Aizawl FC and Gokulam Kerala FC have all jointly written to the AIFF, seeking clarity on their future in Indian football and expressed "our anguish and fear about a plan to kill the clubs".
"Recent news reports suggest that this could be the last season of the I-League, with the ISL all set to be branded the top league of the country," the clubs wrote in the letter.
"Shutdown of the I-League will lead to unfathomable losses not just for I-League clubs but for the entire Indian football ecosystem. As important stakeholders of Indian football, we deserve to be heard so that an amicable and long-term solution without robbing anyone of their livelihood or rightfully deserved spot in the top league of the country."
Merger of the I-League and Indian Super League, "interference of ISL promoters FSDL (Football Sports Development Limited) in Indian football" and a report prepared by AFC on merger between the leagues are some of the issues the clubs are concerned about.
"FSDL is supposed to be AIFF's commercial and marketing partner, however their interference with Indian football is becoming clear for all to see. It seems the AIFF has outsourced its job to its marketing partner DSDL along with all its powers."
"Eight officials of the marketing partner have been appointed into different key committees of AIFF last year, without due process being followed, and without having the necessary qualifications and expertise required for the respective committees," the clubs said.
On the proposed restructuring of leagues in Indian domestic football, they said, "If needed, I-League clubs are ready to accept that existing ISL clubs shall stay immune from relegation for as long as required per contracts already signed between relevant parties.
"There should not be any forceful relegation of I-League teams to the second division due to restructuring of leagues."
Late strikes from Pedro puts Chennai in drivers' seat
Pedro Manzi scored two goals and set up another to guide table-toppers Chennai City FC to a 4-2 win over hosts Shillong Lajong in a return leg fixture of the Hero I-League in Shillong.
Pedro, the current highest scorer in the 12th I-League with 18 goals to his credit, changed the complexion of the match in a span of 12 minutes.
Spaniards Sandro Rodriguez and Nestor Jesus were the other goal scorers for Chennai, while Kitboklang Pale and Samuel Lyngdoh scored for the home team.
Chennai consolidated their position at the top with 37 points from 17 games, five points clear of their nearest rival East Bengal.
Shillong remained at the bottom of the table with 10 points from the same number of games.
