NEW DELHI: Six teams, three matches, four contenders. Another I-League season has gone down to the wire, with the winners — who will earn promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL) — set to be decided on the final day with Churchill Brothers, Inter Kashi, Real Kashmir and Gokulam Kerala all in the fray.
I-League, despite being relegated to being the country’s second division after the All India Football Federation granted the ISL the premier status, has a history of producing thrilling season finales. In 2014-’15, Mohun Bagan beat Bengaluru FC to be crowned champions, Aizawl scripted a fairytale ending in 2016-’17, Minerva Punjab dramatically entered the history books in 2017-’18, Chennai City survived a dramatic final day to emerge as champions in 2018-’19 and Gokulam, too, won the titles on the last matchday in 2020-21 and 2021-22.
Sunday will be another make-or-break day for four of the six teams in action, with Churchill starting as favourites to win the crown.
Real Kashmir vs Churchill Brothers
Churchill: Position: 1; Points: 39
Real Kashmir: Position 3; Points 36
To win their first I-League crown since 2012-’13, Churchill must get the better of an unbeaten Real Kashmir in Srinagar.
If they do that, all other permutations and combinations will mean nothing. For Churchill, the scenario is straightforward: Win the match and win the title. Anything less than that would give other teams a sniff, especially Gokulam Kerala. If Churchill draw or lose, they have to hope that Gokulam Kerala, too, drop points against Dempo. Real Kashmir will have to beat Churchill by at least three goals and hope Gokulam Kerala do not beat Dempo to win their first-ever crown.
No visiting team has been able to win in Srinagar this year and has scored only seven goals, underlining the huge home advantage Kashmir have enjoyed. So, Churchill will have their task cut out.
Gokulam Kerala vs Dempo
Gokulam: Position: 2; Points: 37
Dempo: Position: 9; Points: 26
Until a couple of weeks ago, Gokulam were not in the race. They had won only one of their first six games and had not been in the top three since Round 11. But six wins in the last seven games have catapulted them to second place, making them one of the favourites to win the title. Thabiso Brown, who has scored nine goals in six games, will be expected to deliver the goods once again. Gokulam will have to beat Dempo and hope for favours from Real Kashmir and Rajasthan United, who face Inter Kashi, to win the I-League for the third time.
Inter Kashi vs Rajasthan United
Kashi: Position: 4; Points: 36
Rajasthan: Position 5; Points: 33
Inter Kashi’s fate is not in their hands for multiple reasons. First, they have to hope that Real Kashmir halt Churchill’s march, in a way that doesn’t impact them, then bank on Dempo to stop Gokulam and more than anything else, hope that they receive a favourable decision on the pending AIFF Appeal Committee’s hearing over allegedly fielding an ineligible player. If the AIFF appeals committee rules in their favour, a draw might also be enough for Kashi. However, that will require Churchill Brothers to lose to Real Kashmir and Gokulam Kerala dropping points against Dempo.
Agencies