I-League 2021-22: Highlights of Matchweek 10

Kolkata: The 10th game week of the 15th edition of I-League 2021-22 saw some fierce and tight knit games along with some key events as six mega encounters took place across three different venues over two days.

However despite a wide array of events, we at Sportslight Media picked out some key ocassions of I-League Matchweek 10:

1. Mohammedan SC reclaim the top spot:

Kolkata giants Mohammedan SC regained their top spot in the I-League leader board with a hard fought win against debutantes Rajasthan United FC. While with their 2-1 win against Sreenidi Deccan, defending champions briefly gained the leading position on the table, Mohammedan SC returned banking on goals from Indian youngster Azharuddin Mallick and Serbian skipper Nikola Stojanovic against the team from the desert.

2. Churchill Brothers FC make their way up:

Mateus Costa’s Churchill Brothers FC had been slowly making their way up to the top four of the I-League leader board. Despite sitting at the sixth position now, Churchill Brothers have won three out of their last four encounter while drawing another. Their last loss came against Rajasthan on March 21st. Former Mohun Bagan AC fame Komron Tursanov scored three goals in his last four appearance bolstering the Goan team’s chances to top four.

3. RoundGlass Punjab FC return to top four in the table:

With a 3-1 win over AIFF’s youth set up Indian Arrows, following a tight 3-2 win over Sudeva Delhi the previous Matchweek, RoundGlass Punjab FC regained their top four spot. Following three consecutive games without a win, RGFC saw them at adverse situation. The arrival of new coach Ed Englekes things seemed to have moved towards better after coach Ashley Westwood was relieved off his duties.

4. Real Kashmir FC’s third consecutive game without a win:

Winning the coveted IFA Shield, Real Kashmir FC came into competition as one of the favourites to win the prestigious trophy. While the Snow leopards had a strong start but their momentum have faded away with time. The 1-0 loss against Churchill Brothers FC was their third consecutive game without a win. While they drew the other two games, star forward Tiago Adan scored twice, entering the top scorer race with seven goals  in nine appearances.

5. Rajasthan United FC continue to boast of the strongest defence:

Debutantes Rajasthan United FC brought in a lot of hopes, although their attack has not been of outstanding stature, their defence deserve all the applauds available. Playing nine games against highly attacking sides like Mohammedan SC, Churchill Brothers, Gokulam Kerala, the team from the desert has conceded only five goals. However, scoring only seven at the same time continue to haunt their attacking woes. Despite the 2-1 loss against Mohammedan SC, the combination of Tarif Akhand with Gurmukh Singh, Akashdeep Singh joined by star foreigner Mauro Dos Santos have proved beneficial for them. The standout performance however has to be credited with custodian Bhaskar Roy who conceded only three goals eight appearances despite facing as many as 39 shots.