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Its the time of the season that all the Indian Football Fans have been waiting for, Yes the i-League 2011. Some new players, some new teams and some fresh faces, but above all the fun of supporting your own team and cheering them all the way throughout the season. This time i-League will be watched throughout the nation thanks to New Telecast Partners, Ten Action Plus and News Times Bangla, which the Indian Football fans readily missed last Season.
The ones who got promoted.....
The i-League 2011 edition, brings with itself two promoted teams from Second Division i-League, Shillong Lajong and Sporting Clube De Goa. Well, as they came controversies came alongside. Shillong Lajong's inclusion saw Vasco SC accusing them fielding a so called 'ineligible player' in the form of Seikhohao Tuboi. Leaving the controversies aside, the new teams will be the ones to look out for as they show much promise, especially Shillong Lajong with their recent performances. Both teams have the experience of playing in the i-League and this time they would not want to get relegated.
And there are top Teams....
All eyes will be on how big teams like the Kolkata and Goa giants perform. Some of them had problems playing in the starting tournaments of the season, but they must shake it off and start to be at their peak.
Mohun Bagan has been on the spot-light of all with their coach Steve Derby resigning only after staying for 3 matches in which Mohun Bagan's performance was poor. Nevertheless, they would be raring to improve their showing with the appointment of their new Technical Director, Subrata Bhattacharya. On the other side of Kolkata, East Bengal had some mixed results in their bag just before the i-League. They would be high on confidence with their Super Cup victory over Salgaocar. Prayag United have give a good account of themselves after reaching the finals of the Durand Cup with a narrow loss in the finals against Churchill Brothers through Penalty Shoot outs.
The Young guns, that's right, we are talking about Pailan Arrows, the team which showed their capabilities last season with players like Jeje and Raju Gaikwad making their way to big clubs with their performances, will also be looked upon this season to create a new sensation.
About the teams from Goa, Salgaocar have shown their quality after clinching the Federation Cup 2011 but failed to get past the group stages of Durand Cup. They failed to win the Super Cup against East Bengal, thus letting a prize money of 10 Lakh slipping off their hands. Churchill on the other hands have made some strong performances and also managed to get a silverware, in the form of Durand Cup glory. Dempo SC the champions of 2009 season, did not have the greatest of starts to the season after crashing out of the Federation Cup group stages.
Pune FC has been average thus far, but that by no way means they should not be taken seriously. Pune FC have got back the services of Jeje. But at the same time they will be missing the services of their best player Subrata Paul due to injury. Subrata's injury means PFC have to rely on their youth players. Shahinlal Meloly, the young goalkeeper from Pune FC have already created buzz among the supporters, with his valiant display in the historic clash against Blackburn Rovers. Mumbai FC is still a mystery this season, and i-league will be helping us to solve the puzzle.
Teams like Chirag United Kerala, HAL and Air India, who some might think will be saving their faces from relegation might get a surprise or two with some spirited performances. Certainly no one can pin point them as the outright weak link of the i-League.
Only thing is that, We are always in a win-win situation with new teams and new players coming up, there is always something fresh about in Indian Football and we shall grab it with both hands.
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