Panchkula, March 7: Four teams will battle it out for the I-League title but it is Minerva Punjab's crown to lose as they take on relegation-threatened Churchill Brothers in the final match-day at the Tau Devi Lal Stadium in Panchkula on Thursday (March 8). East Bengal will up against NEROCA FC while Gokulam Kerala FC host Mohun Bagan in the other title-deciding match. Minerva Punjab is the only team amongst the four which doesn't depend on any other outcome to win the league. They are guaranteed the title if they secure all three points against Churchill Brothers.
Punjab lead the table with 32 points, one more than NEROCA FC. East Bengal and Mohun Bagan have 30 points each. Minerva still hold a slender chance of winning the I-league with a draw, given that other two outcomes in Kolkata and Kozhikode go accordingly.
With just a day to go ✊🏽 We’re all geared up for the clash for the clash tomorrow at the fortress 🏟⚽️ #chaldephatte #MPFCvCB pic.twitter.com/yjpcpfoAeo
— MINERVA PUNJAB FC (@Minerva_AFC) March 7, 2018
Minerva Punjab are once again in the middle of a match-fixing controversy after their players reported an approach to team owner Ranjit Bajaj.
This is the third time that Minerva Punjab players were approached to leak inside information about players in exchange for money. Bajaj earlier reported that Minerva Punjab were asked to throw away a crucial game against East Bengal in February.
This time, Minerva Punjab accused East Bengal directly of trying to fix the games. According to the New Indian Express, an East Bengal official promised Chennai City FC coach V Soundararajan money if they beat Minerva Punjab in an earlier I-League tie.
Additionally, Minerva Punjab alleged that their coach Khogen Singh was informed by an unknown caller that he would be sacked at the end of the season.
The All India Football Federation released a statement saying it was investigating the matter. "We have received a letter from Minerva Punjab Football Club highlighting approach to their players and officials from other participating teams in the Hero I-League," the statement read. "The case is presently being handled by AIFF Integrity officer who is doing a thorough investigation into the matter and necessary action will be taken as per the regulations."
.@Minerva_AFC are so close yet so far from lifting the @ILeagueOfficial trophy in their second season. A win and they are the champs. If they draw or lose, their fate will hang on other results #MPFCvCB #HeroILeague pic.twitter.com/coQGJJCzGI
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) March 6, 2018
Minerva Punjab head coach Khogen Singh simply believes that his team needs to focus on its game rather keeping an eye on the other two matches.
"We don't need to think about others, we have to just concentrate on our game. We have to win our game. Our aim, our objective, our motto is to win the match. If we win this match, we will end up as the winners. We think about our game," Khogen Singh responded with confidence.
Rahul Das felt it would be great for the entire state of Punjab if his team wins the title. "It will be good not only for me but also for all the players. Last season we were 9th and this season we are at the top. It will be an achievement of a lifetime. It is the result of the sheer hard work by the coaches, players and owners," Das said.
Khalid Jamil's East Bengal will bank on home advantage against NEROCA FC in their last-gasp bid to win the elusive trophy. On their part, NEROCA, yet another surprise package form the Northeast after Aizawl FC, defied expectations to come this far.
.@NerocaFC grew from strength to strength to come to the handshaking distance of the @ILeagueOfficial title. A win against @eastbengalfc at the VYBK Stadium will help them emulate the reigning champions @AizawlFC. Can they? #HeroILeague pic.twitter.com/l5u4HQF5ku
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) March 6, 2018
East Bengal can lift their maiden I-League title if they manage to beat NEROCA FC and hope that both Minerva Punjab and Mohun Bagan lose their respective games.
.@Mohun_Bagan have made a strong comeback under the aegis of Sankarlal Chakraborty to come within touching distance of @ILeagueOfficial trophy. Another win and a couple of favourable results will help them triumph their second @ILeagueOfficial trophy in four years #HeroILeague pic.twitter.com/LOJbocoxoX
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) March 6, 2018
Second-placed NEROCA FC can lift the trophy on their debut season in case they manage to earn a win against East Bengal and pray that Minerva Punjab do not pick up three points against Churchill Brothers.
Mohun Bagan shot back into contention, thanks to Minerva Punjab's slip-ups lately.
A win on the final day against Gokulam Kerala away could see them being crowned champions, if other results go their way.
If three teams finish on 33 points, then Mohun Bagan will lift their second I-league trophy as cumulative points collected from four fixtures will be taken into account.
Mohun Bagan have seven points with a double over East Bengal and a draw against Minerva.
.@eastbengalfc will break their long wait for the @ILeagueOfficial trophy if they keep their calm to get the better of @NerocaFC and other two results go their way as well #HeroILeague pic.twitter.com/248NInR7o2
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) March 6, 2018
Minerva have picked up five points (win and draw against Bagan and another draw against East Bengal) whereas East Bengal have managed to gather only four points (win and a draw against Minerva).
However, even if Minerva lose and finish with 32 points they can still be champions, provided all the other results go in their favour.
.@NerocaFC coach Gift Raikhan follows the footsteps of none but @alexfergusonn and the benevolent coach loves to have rice with pork with his family. #TeteATete #HeroILeague pic.twitter.com/3BgPkFGl5c
— Hero I-League (@ILeagueOfficial) March 7, 2018
Minerva Punjab vs Churchill Brothers
Live from Tau Devi Lal Stadium
On Star Sports 2 & HD 2, Hotstar and Jio TV
At 3 pm (Thursday, March 8)
East Bengal vs NEROCA FC
Live from Salt Lake Stadium
On Star Sports 1 and HD1, Hotstar and Jio TV
At 3 pm (Thursday, March 8)
Gokulam Kerala FC vs Mohun Bagan
Live streaming on Hotstar and Jio TV
At 3 pm (Thursday, March 8)
(With PTI inputs)