by Abhishek Gujral

It is indeed an exciting time for football fans across the country. The hectic transfer season has just concluded, the local leagues are underway, and National Football League champions East Bengal can look forward to making their mark on the bigger Asian stage, with the inaugural ASEAN Club Championship, to be held in Indonesia later this month. The Indian under-18 national team too are in for some top-level competition, as they head to Northern Ireland for the prestigious Milk Cup, where they face Ukrainian giants Dynamo Kiev, English side Preston North End, and County Antrim in Group 1 and later in the tournament they could be awaited by the likes of Manchester United, Bayern Munich or River Plate Buenos Aires. And of course, let's not forget the inaugural Afro-Asian Games, the NFL and Asian Champions League, which shall follow in the coming months.

As one reflects on the past few months, one thing is for sure - East Bengal means business. Last season, the club won an unprecedented five titles, including the highly coveted NFL and the prestigious Durand Cup. Far from resting on their laurels, everyone at the club is determined to take the next step forward, and take Asia by storm. The appointment of highly rated South African physio Kevin Jackson is clearly a step in the right direction. Coach Subhas Bhowmick has also ensured that the club builds on its already impressive squad, by signing none other than Baichung Bhutia, the Indian skipper. Other key signing include internationals Debjit Ghosh and Mahesh Gawli. The club also has in its ranks two of India's hottest youngsters- speedy winger Malswam Tulunga, and left-sided midfielder Subhash Chakraborty. One gets the feeling that this just might be the year East Bengal takes Indian football to the next level. Wishful thinking? Perhaps not…

This season shall also announce the return of one of India's most famous and successful clubs at the top level - Mohammedan Sporting. Once a dominant force in the country, the club was in oblivion for far too long, and it is heartening to see them back among the big boys. The infamous 'kidnapping' of striker Syed Rahim Nabi from the Howrah Railway Station by a few club officials and fans not withstanding, the club seems to be making all the right moves. A proposed tie-up with an English Premiership Club, plans for an own youth academy, as well as shifting to a new ground all indicate that plans are afoot to restore the club to its former glory. With a decent playing squad including some well known faces like Satish Kumar Bharti, Dipendu Biswas and the highly talented Bungo Singh, one thing is for certain - the club will be looking for more than just survival in the NFL. Here's wishing them all the best!

If you are a football fan in India, Goa is clearly the place to be. This soccer crazy state has made tremendous headway in recent times, and has left its counterparts in Calcutta far behind. This is reflected by the fact that for the first time there shall be five NFL teams from the same state. The latest entrant to the premier league is the Haywards' sponsored Sporting Clube de Goa, which shall be joining Vasco, Churchill Brothers, Salgaocar and Dempo as the Goan representatives. Being from Calcutta myself, I cannot help but admire the organized manner in which they run football, and I sincerely hope the officials here in Calcutta take a leaf out of their book. It is also interesting to note that all the Goan clubs lay tremendous emphasis of youth development programs - something, which again, is lacking in Calcutta. Things can only get better from here, I hope. (Now that is wishful thinking!)

One team that never fails to astound me is the Mumbai based Mahindra United. The club works on a very high budget, has among the highest wage bills in the country, yet consistently under-performs. After the sacking of the relatively high profile former Czech international Karel Stromsik last season, the club has now handed its reins to the former Myanmar coach, Englishman David Booth. Booth has previous coaching experience in Africa as well, and can hopefully help the side fulfil its potential. Maybe he can look to fellow NFL rivals JCT Mills for inspiration. Led by former national team coach Sukhwinder Singh, the club works on a relatively low budget and relies heavily on young Punjabi talent plus the experience of seasoned IM Vijayan and Jo Paul Ancheri. Yet, the club has put up impressive performances in the recent past, finishing a creditable fourth in last season's NFL. They will no doubt, be looking to build on this in the future.

Finally, one cannot help but mention Mohun Bagan and the tremendous mess the club is in. Being a Bagan fan myself, I can assure you it hurts to see the sorry state of affairs surrounding the club. One gets the feeling that is now up to the players to rise to the occasion and put up some good performances on the pitch, for that is the only thing that shall restore the 'feel good' factor. The team sheet still has some very impressive names - international Renedy Singh named as new captain, new sensation Ashim Biswas, who has already netted three goals in four games for India, reliable midfielder Basudeb Mondal, and the new Brazilian signing, Marcos Pereira. If the club does manage to find the funds to retain Brazilian superstar Jose Ramirez Barreto, Mohun Bagan may yet surprise a few people. Whatever be the outcome, one thing is for sure - soccer fans in India are in for a treat! So, as they say, let the good times roll!