BY MINOO FERNANDES | NT
MARGAO: As the I-League football league is almost reaching its closing stage, top teams seem to be losing concentration as is evidently seen from the shocking defeats of East Bengal, Prayag United and Dempo SC in the recent rounds.

These defeats have left these reputed teams scratching their heads and now put on the thinking caps to carve out moves to stay on top of the I-league and conquer the most coveted title in Indian club football - which is to become the ‘champion club of India’.
As such the question that begs for an answer is:which club will be crowned the ‘champion club of India’?, certainly  a million dollar one. Will it be the Goan teams such as four times winners Dempo SC this time around or will it be the defending champions Salgaocar SC? or will it be East Bengal, Churchill Brothers or Mohun Bagan?
This question will be answered only at the end of seven crucial matches to be played now and consistency will be the only weapon that can work and any slip-up will spell doom and come in the way for supremacy in the fortunes of the celebrated Indian football clubs.
While East Bengal were defeated by Prayag United in a giant-killing act, never they must have dreamed that Salgaocar SC were waiting to cause damage to their team’s prospects after they suffered a 0-1 loss against the Vasco based Goan team. And then more shocking was the defeat Dempo SC received at the hands of Pune FC which restricted their surge, though Dempo are still the leaders with a clear five-point advantage, which of course cannot be gloated about now given the fact that lesser known teams are grooming well and coming up hard to earn wins.
As such the I-League has now reached a critical stage wherein Salgaocar SC with 33 points in their kitty  have jumped to the 4th spot sending Churchill Brothers a step lower to the 5th position, even though Churchill Brothers have also accumulated 33 points in as many matches, that is 19 that Salgaocar team has played so far. But Churchill Brothers can leap frog to the second spot if they win their next match and that will fetch them 36 points as East Bengal who are occupying that spot presently are on 35 points.
As a matter of fact, Churchill Brothers have still a better chance to take the second spot in their next match, having played a match less than East Bengal. At the end of the 19th round East Bengal with 35 points, are trying hard to come closer to Dempo SC and the Goan giants from the capital city of Panaji cannot falter at all at this stage and a win is a must for them in their next match, which then will make things very difficult for other strong teams vying for top honours to catch up with them.
Important matches that should not be given away for Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers and Salgaocar SC which have more chances to go on the top will be coming shortly. While Churchill Brothers have an easy match against HAL, Bangalore, Salgaocar SC will take on Sporting Clube de Goa which is expected to be a tough match for the defending champions as Sporting Clube de Goa have come out with very splendid wins against strong teams.
On March 24, Dempo SC will play an easy match against HAL in Goa next after more than a month’s recess as they immediately take on Pailan Arrows next, away on February 12, and then later on Salgaocar take on Air India which is again a tough match since Air India has the reputation of causing upsets for many teams at crucial times.
Another very important match that is to be watched is between Dempo SC and East Bengal to be played in Goa  and then Salgaocar will take on Chirag United followed by the derby between Churchill Brothers and Dempo SC in Goa. Salgaocar will then taken on Mohun Bagan at Nehru stadium which is a huge match that can decide the real fortunes, though Churchill Brothers will play Pailan Arrows later on.
What is noticed in the ongoing matches from teams like Dempo SC, Churchill Brothers and  Salgaocar SC is that the noticeable strikers like Ranty Martins and company, Chidi Edeh and company  and Opera and company who are otherwise deadly and accurate in their shooting power have fumbled at times for one reason or the other.
The onus now lies on the strikers of these teams to find their true form and make known their reputation to keep the flag of the Goan clubs flying high. Will they rise to the occasion to do it? Only time will tell.