Cutting Corners

Inconsistent strikers, fatigue did 'Red Devils' in
The anticipated nail-biting finish to the 11th ONGC National Football League (NFL) may not materialize. Holders Mahindra United has stumbled in the closing stages, losing two and drawing one match and seems to have handed the 11th NFL title to Dempo (Goa) on a platter. Pressure, incessant travel, fatigue and injuries have taken its toll on the 'Red Devils’ from Mumbai. They failed to score a goal in the last three matches (270 minutes), losing 0-1 to both Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) Bangalore and JCT and drawing goalless with Air India.
Dempo (Goa) now need just two points from their last two matches against Air India in Mumbai on May 6 and vs Mohun Bagan in Margao, Goa on May 18. If they beat Air India on Sunday, May 6, Dempo will clinch their second NFL title (earlier they won the 9th NFL in 2005). Also it will mean that the NFL will be decided in the 17th round only and the last (18th) round matches will be used to determine the middle of the table places as both Mohammedan Sporting and HAL Bangalore are already relegated.
What led to Mahindra United’s mysterious slump towards the end of the NFL? A major cause is the inconsistency of their Ghanaian strikers’ veteran Yusif Yakubu and Andrew Pomeyie Mensah Yakubu not as prolific as in the past has scored just 5 goals in 14 matches. He missed two matches because of suspension. Yakubu, playing in his sixth successive NFL (four seasons for Churchill Brothers and two for Mahindra United) seems jaded and over the hill. At his prime Yakubu in his first season with Churchill Brothers scored 21 goals in 21 matches, including two hat-tricks. Andrew Mensah’s strike rate is a little better (9 goals in 16 matches).
Sadly for Derrick Pereira, the coach of Mahindra United, the back-up strikers also flopped. Sturdy Abhishek Yadav has not fully recovered >from injury. International Manjit Singh, used often in midfield has lost his thrust and sharpness in front of goal. The highly rated Mohammed Rafi bought >from SBT this season has been inadequate and dashing winger steven Dias out-of-form. It is this collective failure of the forwards, which caused the Mumbai team’s downfall.
When they became champions last season, Mahindra United scored 27 goals in 17 matches. In contrast this year they have scored just 19 goals in 16 matches. Four other teams, Dempo 34 goals, Churchill Brothers 26 goals, East Bengal 25 goals and JCT 24 goals have scored more than the reigning champions.
Another reason for the sudden plunge in form is Indian football’s forthcoming transfer season starting next month. Several key players of Mahindra United have already been contacted. The Keralite trio of N.P. Pradeep, Mohammed Rafi and K. Ajayan may join newly promoted Viva club from Kochi. Similarly defenders Sur Kumar Singh and N.S. Manju and Manjit Singh are being wooed by the Kolkata clubs. Coach Derrick Pereira has been unable to maintain the concentration level of his players.
Constant travel for AFC Cup fixtures has also taken its toll. Mahindra united, this season, lacked the depth to rotate players for the AFC Cup and the NFL, which were held simultaneously.
Odafe Onyeka Okolie, Churchill Brothers’ Nigerian striker scored the first the first hat-trick of the 11th NFL when his team routed Mohammedan Sporting 4-1.He became the fifth player in NFL history to score four or more goals in a match. The others are Baichung Bhutia (five vs Mahindra United in the 1st NFL) Manjeet Singh (four vs ITI Bangalore, 3rd NFL), Francis Silveira (four vs Dempo, 3rd NFL) and Agnelo Jose Gomes (four vs HAL Bangalore, 7th NFL)