Kolkata : The I-League rarely sees a runaway winner. Over the years, several I-League titles have been thrillingly decided on the last day, sometimes as many as three or four teams in the fray.
Be it Mohun Bagan’s sensational win in Bengaluru (2014-15), Aizawl’s fairytale success in (2016-17), Minerva Punjab (2017-18) and Chennai City (2018-19) etching their name in history after the final day drama or Gokulam Kerala winning back-to-back titles (2020-21 and 2021-22) on the last matchday. Eyeballs on multiple screens, coaches scampering around trying to gather information about results elsewhere that could make or break their hopes, all that is nothing new to the I-League.
And now, a new chapter will be scripted on Sunday, April 6, 2025. Churchill Brothers FC Goa, Gokulam Kerala FC, Real Kashmir FC and Inter Kashi are the cast members, but only one can emerge as the hero.
The former two have been heroes in the past – Churchill Brothers were champions in 2008-09 and 2012-13, and Gokulam Kerala became the first side to defend an I-League title. The latter two have never tasted this piece of silverware. Inter Kashi are only in their sophomore year in Indian football, and the equation is a bit complicated for them.
Inter Kashi cling to their silver lining
Inter Kashi will only stand a chance to be champions should they receive a favourable decision on the pending AIFF Appeal Committee’s hearing. They still need to do their job on the pitch, which is beating Rajasthan United in Kalyani, and keep up their end of the bargain.
A draw might also be barely enough, with more complicated permutations. It will require Churchill Brothers to lose to Real Kashmir and Gokulam Kerala to not beat Dempo.
Churchill Brothers must beat an unbeaten Real Kashmir in Srinagar
There are so many scenarios for each team to succeed and fail, that this is only the tip of the iceberg. We can run into ifs and buts, and this and that, but there’s only one team that can break this ice – Churchill Brothers. The leaders are the only team among the four with everything in their hands. Win in Kashmir and the trophy will be theirs, irrespective of anything that transpires in Kalyani or Kozhikode, or even in the hearing. It just emphasises the significance of that late Lalremruata equaliser against Inter Kashi last week.
But then, it’s winning in Kashmir we’re talking about. That attempt was made by 10 teams this season. Only seven goals have been scored by visitors at the TRC Turf Ground. The Red Machines will have their task cut out, especially against a Real Kashmir side who also have their shot at history. The Snow Leopards can bring the trophy to the valley by beating Churchill with a three-goal margin, and wishing Gokulam Kerala don’t beat Dempo.
The other issue is that they’re not known to be prolific scorers. With 30 goals, Real Kashmir are only the ninth-highest scorers in the league. But flip to the other side of the coin, and you realise Churchill Brothers have kept only three clean sheets this season. This is a match to go all out for the win, exactly how title deciders should be.
Gokulam Kerala in with a shout after a remarkable turnaround
Gokulam Kerala were nowhere in the fray until a couple of weeks ago. In fact, the Malabarians, who had only one win in their first six games, had not been in the top three since Round 11. But six victories in the previous seven means they’ve boomed to second place and thrown their hat in the ring.
Mid-season recruit Thabiso Brown, with nine goals in just six games, is suddenly the most lethal striker in the I-League, and will spearhead the attack against Dempo in one final push for the trophy. Gokulam need to beat the Goan outfit and hope for favours from Real Kashmir and Rajasthan United.
Relegation strugglers SC Bengaluru, Aizawl FC grasp at last straw
On the other hand, the I-League is never just about the trophy. The tussle to avoid relegation can be equally fierce. After Delhi FC’s drop was confirmed last month, two teams with contrasting histories are fighting for that one spot in next season’s I-League. SC Bengaluru were formed five years after Aizawl FC became I-League champions. This season, there has been little to separate them.
Both are locked on 20 points each, but crucially, Aizawl have that head-to-head advantage, which means beating Namdhari, on Saturday, will ensure survival and an 11th consecutive season in the I-League. Similar to Churchill, that injury-time equaliser in Shillong last week has put safety in their own hands.
Newly-promoted SC Bengaluru’s situation has become a bit dire. They spent the last eight rounds outside the relegation zone, mainly thanks to an unbeaten February, but four defeats in the last five matches, including against direct rivals Aizawl, has put them alarmingly close to I-League 2 next season.The final game sees them travel to Hyderabad to face Sreenidi Deccan, which doesn’t look too promising, primarily since SC Bengaluru are the worst travellers in the league, with just four points and six goals in 10 trips this season. The Golden Tigers require a gargantuan effort to beat the Deccan Warriors, and even that might not be enough if Aizawl do their job 2,200 kilometres away.
I-League 2024-25 Final Round Fixtures
April 5, 16:00 – Shillong Lajong FC vs Delhi FC
April 5, 19:00 – Aizawl FC vs Namdhari FC
April 5, 19:00 – Sreenidi Deccan FC vs SC Bengaluru
April 6, 16:00 – Gokulam Kerala FC vs Dempo SC
April 6, 16:00 – Real Kashmir FC vs Churchill Brothers FC Goa
April 6, 16:00 – Inter Kashi vs Rajasthan United FC.
