By Shoubhik Mukhopadhyay,
I-League Media Team

NEW DELHI: Aizawl FC, under the tutelage of H.S. Birbal Singh, are awaiting to add another feather in their cap. Hadn’t Lonestar Kashmir FC dropped 2 vital points against PIFA in Round 12, the brutal loss to Lonestar Kashmir FC could have turned out a fatal one for the Mizo outfit. After Round 11, Aizawl FC and Lonestar Kashmir FC were tied at the top with 25 points apiece, only to be separated by goal difference. After Round 12, Aizawl FC inched closer towards the pinnacle thanks to their important win over Kenkre. Day in and day out, they outsmarted other outfits in the likes of Chanmari FC, Mohammedan Sporting by means of myriad ground passes and lightening fast counter attacks.

Meanwhile, once they would be tied with Lonestar Kashmir at the top with same points in their respective kitty, Aizawl FC would be the favourite to pip Lonestar Kashmir FC, thanks to their superior goal difference (21-9 as on 04-05-2015). Goal difference will come into play as either of them shared the pie equally while they faced each other in the ongoing Second Division League 2014-15. Lonestar Kashmir FC could not propel against the Mizo boys in the Round 1 at Siliguri and were thrashed by 1-4. But the scenario changed completely in Assam while the Kashmir troop prevailed over their counterpart by 2-0 in their favour.

Aizawl FC’s remaining fixtures are comparatively tough on paper as they are supposed to feature against Chanmari FC and Mohammedan SC, who also were very much alive in the quest for the I-League berth a few weeks back, eventually faded away. On the other hand, the boys from Northern part of India are scheduled against Kenkre in the Game week 13, definitely they would be licking their lips for a heavier win on this game. Lonestar Kashmir FC will face Chanmari FC in the last day of the tourney whom they outplayed at SSB Ranidanga, Siliguri by a healthy margin of 2-1.

Chanmari FC, another contender for the Hero I-League berth, lost their path in the 2nd stage and the loss against Hindustan FC dashed their bleak chance to make it to the top spot. Once there is no huge turnabout in the upcoming fixtures, Chanmari FC have to wait for another year to feature in the Hero I-League. Now they have the mandate to go break free in the remaining fixtures against Aizawl FC and Lonestar Kashmir FC. The blue half of Mizoram can finish it off with 28 points, same as Aizawl FC and 2 points more than the Kashmir boys, once they stage back-to-back upsets against these two biggies.

Mohammedan Sporting Club had a topsy turvy experience throughout the tourney. Had they squeezed better results in more occasions, there would have been a real threat for Aizawl FC and Lonestar Kashmir. The gaffer Ananta Ghosh has shown immense faith on veteran Ashim Biswas and Adelaja who reciprocated right away. They are 3 points shy of 2nd placed Lonestar Kashmir FC and are facing Hindustan FC next, who in turn overwhelmed Chanmari FC in the last round. Black Panthers’ last round game is against table topper Aizawl FC who would gear up for sure to plunder all three points to secure their title.

United SC left Siliguri on a high but eventually failed to lift up their tempo in Assam. Lackluster performances out at the middle and some listless defending hurt them most, hence purple patch eluded the purple outfit, who used to be the most glamorous I-League troop a few years back. They are vying for the 5th spot with Delhi based Hindustan FC, significantly these two teams are clashing their swords in the last round on 9th May. While Hindustan FC are 5th at the moment with 14 points from 12 matches, United SC are breathing down their neck having 1 point less from as many outings.

PIFA Sports and Kenkre are brawling between themselves to avoid the wooden spoon and no less than a thriller is on card while they lock their horns on 9th May at Bokakhat Stadium. The remarkable points of Kenkre’s sojourn has been none other than their stupendous win over Hindustan FC and city rival PIFA sports, on the other hand PIFA have dished out quite a few scintillating performances against biggies in the likes of Chanmari FC (1-1), Lonestar Kashmir FC (1-1) and the vivacious display against Aizawl FC, where they bogged down by a margin of 3-5.  Kenkre is holding 7th spot with 6 points while PIFA is down at the bottom having amassed 2 points less.