I-league 2013/14 round 5 finished with a few surprises and few expected results. Cooperage returned to national football top flight league after a long haitus while defending champions Bengaluru FC notched up their first home win. The HardTackle look at what unfold in the round 5 and how teams panned out in the round.
Salgaocar Continue To Impress
Kolkata giants Kingfisher East Bengal traveled to Salgaocar FC as strong favourites to win the match. The Red and gold brigade boast of some of the best players in the country and one of the most successful coach in Indian football circuit Armando Colaco. Derrick Pereira led side Salgaocar FC had problems of injury and were finding lot of difficulties to field best XI. The return of first team striker Darryl Duffy gave huge advantage for Salgaocar FC in the match and the Scot did not disappoint has fans. He helped his team in the first goal besides scoring a goal himself. Despite not having full squad at disposal the greens have been impressive so far. The mix of experience and youth have helped the team. Brian Mascarenhas was pick in the match, the young nippy winger gave good account himself. He troubled veteran warhorse Deepak Mondal with his pace and trickery and majority of Salgaocar attacks was from his side. The youngster even got a goal on his name for all his effort when he slotted in ball from Gilbert Oliveira. Salgaocar are now sitting at number three position while East Bengal at 6th place with this first defeat of the league.
Mohun Bagan Stay Unbeaten
Mohun Bagan hosted high flying Pune FC at the salt lake stadium. The western India side was on rampaging form and were scoring goals at their will. The Red Lizards went in this match with lot of confidence. Kolkata Giants throughout the match looked assured and well worked out plans by Sanjoy Sen helped team to secure all three points and giving Pune FC their first loss of the season.Young full back Pritam Kotal was the man to provide the goal for the home side. The India U-23 international even played crucial part in the defense holding attacks after attacks of Pune FC. Mohun Bagan defense was real man of the hero in this match. They kept their shape and frustrated Pune FC players, Pune FC hardly had a sniff at the Mohun Bagan goal. With this victory Mohun Bagan remain unbeaten with 7 points in kitty. Pune FC continue to remain at the top and now have a difficult home fixture against Dempo Sports club.
Dempo Becoming A Draw Expert
Dempo Sports club have been dominating proceeding in all of their matches, they keep lion share of possession but when it comes to finishing they lack in the department. Arthur Papas side were leaning against Royal wahingdoh in an away game with a goal courtesy of Germanpreeet Singh until they had lack of concentration and conceded a goal. Dempo Sports club missed few key players in the game like Calum Angus and Zohib Amiri but had enough fire power to secure all three points against Royals. The team would be disappointed to lose three points.Dempo still unbeaten in the league and next play Pune FC in away match at Balewadi sports complex. Royal Wahingdoh still at number two possession but it seems like fairy tale start for the debut in the I-League has come to the end.
Cooperage Returns To I League
Mumbai FC were unfortunate to play their home games away from home in Pune for over three years. Their regular home stadium cooperage ground was under renovation and even after the renovation the ground was not getting clearance to host I-league game. Mumbai FC was made to play their game in Pune and which deprived them luxury of enjoying home conditions. Cooperage is one the historical stadium in Indian football. The stadium has host historical tournaments and everyone was excited to have look at revamped Cooperage. The ground is among very few football specific and most important having fans closure to the actions helps the environment in the ground. The 5th round turned out to be historic day for Mumbai FC and Cooperage ground as it marked as return of Cooperage ground in the national top flight football. Mumbai football club hosted Sporting Clube de Goa at the cooperage. Both the team still at the bottom of the table and could not impress the fans gathered in the stadium.Both team played out dull nil-nil draw. Apart from return of cooperage talented youngster Brandon Fernandes and portuguese defender Miguel Garcia made debut for the Sporting clube de Goa. With this draw Mumbai football club have opened their account and now have 1 point in four games.
Bengaluru FC Notch Up First Home Win
Bengaluru FC entered I-league last season and took I-league to a next football. With the experiment getting success, AIFF introduced one more direct entry in form of Bharat FC this year. Both teams played against each other in the fifth round and provided an entertaining game. There was not much to talk about goals apart from Eugeneson brilliant goal which helped Bengaluru FC to secure first victory at home this season.Unlike Bengaluru FC grand inaugural season start Bharat FC are struggling in the league. They do not have victory to show for their fans, and are struggling with just 1 point. Bharat FC had their moments in the game but failed to capitalize on it and Bengaluru FC thanks to individual brilliance of Eugenson collected three points. Bharat FC now travel to Kolkata to face might of East Bengal while Bengaluru FC face Shillong Lajong at home.