When will football make the news? DNA MUMBAI: The football may not have been earth-shattering but everything around it was. As teams head for a break, in the month-and-a-half of action in the ONGC Cup 10th National Football League (NFL), it has been the off-field 'dhamakas' that have grabbed the limelight. The league started with the indecision on fixtures, venues and the problem still persists. (Till date the next round fixtures have not been released). The Cooperage has not yet held an NFL match. When the league did get underway, refereeing controversies, player-transfer mishandling, bias toward clubs, all such issues raised their heads. According to sources, in some instances match-commissioners didn't even file their regular match reports. And just before the break, Fransa Pax-AIFF 'big-fight' broke out, decision on which is still awaited.
Yet, the 'Great Indian Football show' trudged along without springing major surprises. As was expected, Mumbai's Mahindra United (the Indian version of Roman Abramovich-Chelsea saga) are topping the table with sixteen points from six matches with a game in hand. "We've started of well but there's always scope for improvement. Our first match was a tough away fixture against Mohun Bagan (goalless draw)," said Derrick Pereira, Mahindra United. "But since then, we have done well. We've had a lot of travelling to do but the boys have shown a lot of heart and worked together." When asked whether that maiden NFL title looks in sight, Pereira said, "I think this is the best team ever assembled in the 10 years of the league history. So I don't see why the title can't be ours." The other Mumbai team in the league, Air India, may have surprised a few with their gritty performance. A win over Dempo and Mohammedan Sporting and seven points from five games makes them 6th in the league. "We should have won a couple more matches. We were a goal up against Salgaocar and Sporting Clube de Goa but eventually lost due to lack of concentration," said Bimal Ghosh, Air India coach. "But I think we have done well and will look to build on this." Air India are yet to receive the three points they should've been awarded after Fransa Club didn't turn up for their match on February 4. With all the drawbacks, Air India's could be the heart warming story this season. Defending champions Dempo couldn't have had a worse start to the league. They have just one win from seven matches with 4 draws and 2 defeated and are languishing at 5th place. The only Goan club in the top three is Sporting Clube de Goa, top points behind East Bengal with a game in hand. "We following close behind the leaders and I expect an improved performance from the boys once the league starts again," said Clifford Chukwuma, Sporting coach. Till now it has been Brazilian Jose Ramirez Barreto's league who has scored 5 goals. Wonder if one Mr Baichung Bhutia (3) can change that?
