Indian footballing history is set to be made on Saturday as the 12th I-League title race reaches its conclusion.
Chennai City midfielder Nestor Gordillo (2L) will miss the final clash against Minerva Punjab
Chennai:
If Akbar Nawas’ Chennai City wins against defending champion Minerva Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore, it will land a maiden national crown in just its third year in the league. Even a draw can see it through, provided QEB does not win at the EMS Corporation Stadium against Gokulam Kerala FC.
QEB, on the other hand, has to win and will be hoping Minerva does it a favour by beating Chennai City. After 19 games each, CCFC is on 40 points and QEB on 39 respectively.
It will be history making of contrasting styles for both sides. For Kolkata-based QEB, the I-League crown is missing and is probably the one dark spot in a glittering and rich history. It is something its legion of die-hards are willing to exchange for most of their 130 trophies, including three international crowns. For Chennai City, this will be nothing short of a dream, with the club exhibiting immense vision in its short existence.
There are however two 90-minute games of top division competitive football still to be played before either CCFC or QEB can think about celebrations. In Coimbatore, Chennai City will sorely miss Nestor Gordillo, a key member of an attack-minded Spanish troika. Joint top-scorer Pedro Manzi and Sandro Rodriguez are the other two. The trio has accounted for 37 of Chennai City’s 45 goals.
The value Nestor adds is far beyond the eight goals and nine assists he has delivered in the campaign. His vision, trickery and passing ability has rarely been seen in an Indian domestic season in the recent past. Minerva has worn a settled look over the past couple of games.
The away side loves to win titles and with the Super Cup coming up next, the Chennai City backline could become the highest conceding defence of a champion team if it wins the crown. The ‘Warriors’ from Punjab will fancy their chances as party-poopers and will hope to be in good stead ahead of the knockout tournament.
The question that remains is whether it will be made in Coimbatore or Calicut. The cities will host the two games which will decide who among Chennai City FC (CCFC) and Quess East Bengal (QEB) will be crowned champion in the eleven-team competition. The equation is very simple for both sides.
If Akbar Nawas’ Chennai City wins against defending champion Minerva Punjab FC at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in Coimbatore, it will land a maiden national crown in just its third year in the league. Even a draw can see it through, provided QEB does not win at the EMS Corporation Stadium against Gokulam Kerala FC.
QEB, on the other hand, has to win and will be hoping Minerva does it a favour by beating Chennai City. After 19 games each, CCFC is on 40 points and QEB on 39 respectively.
It will be history making of contrasting styles for both sides. For Kolkata-based QEB, the I-League crown is missing and is probably the one dark spot in a glittering and rich history. It is something its legion of die-hards are willing to exchange for most of their 130 trophies, including three international crowns. For Chennai City, this will be nothing short of a dream, with the club exhibiting immense vision in its short existence.
There are however two 90-minute games of top division competitive football still to be played before either CCFC or QEB can think about celebrations. In Coimbatore, Chennai City will sorely miss Nestor Gordillo, a key member of an attack-minded Spanish troika. Joint top-scorer Pedro Manzi and Sandro Rodriguez are the other two. The trio has accounted for 37 of Chennai City’s 45 goals.
The value Nestor adds is far beyond the eight goals and nine assists he has delivered in the campaign. His vision, trickery and passing ability has rarely been seen in an Indian domestic season in the recent past. Minerva has worn a settled look over the past couple of games.
The away side loves to win titles and with the Super Cup coming up next, the Chennai City backline could become the highest conceding defence of a champion team if it wins the crown. The ‘Warriors’ from Punjab will fancy their chances as party-poopers and will hope to be in good stead ahead of the knockout tournament.