Do or die for Sikkim boys - Final leg of i-league 2nd division starts today

Mohammedan Sporting players practise at Paljor Stadium in Gangtok on Wednesday. Picture by Prabin Khaling Gangtok, March 28: The Gangtok leg of the I-League second division beginning tomorrow will be a do or die for United Sikkim that is aiming for a berth in the apex group of soccer teams in the country for the first time. Bhaichung Bhutia’s boys though emerged top in the tournament’s first section in Siliguri, they will face stiff resistance from three other clubs which are just behind the Gangtok club in the scoreboard . Points in the Gangtok and Siliguri matches will be tallied and two top teams will be promoted to the senior division of the I-League. Seven clubs will take part in the tournament at Paljor Stadium. “The final round in Gangtok is crucial as six teams are in good position. We have to really work hard to achieve our goal of qualifying for the I-League. We have to make maximum use of whatever advantages we will have when we play on the home ground. Crowd support is vital and it will have an impact on our performance,” said Bhaichung, who co-owns United Sikkim. His boys’ first match will be against Royal Wahingdoh on Friday. “They are one of the best teams. It will be a tough match. We look forward to win the first match and build up the momentum for the remaining period,” said the former Indian soccer skipper. While the Sikkim club bagged 13 points in the Siliguri leg that concluded on March 25, Royal Wahingdoh from Shillong is in the fourth position with 10 points. Phillipe De Ridder, the chief coach of United Sikkim, is confident of the team’s calibre. “We are not changing our game style. There is no need to do this. We have to remain good and we have high chances to qualify if our main players are not out because of bookings or injuries.” However, Royal Wahingdoh coach Carlton Chapman has vowed to give Bhaichung boys a run for their money. “Six teams have good chances to make it to the I-League. Every match is vital and if we play according to our potential, we should qualify. The best part is that we don’t have any injury problems and we are used to playing in a weather condition similar to that of Gangtok,” said Chapman. All the seven clubs will play against each other once in Gangtok. The inaugural match will be played between Kalighat MS and ONGC. Vasco SC will take on Mohammedan Sporting in the second match tomorrow. Mohammedan Sporting coach Alok Mukherjee said there were no clear favourites at the moment. “Most teams have equally good chances to make it to the I-League,” he added. The Calcutta team emerged second in Siliguri with 12 points. Another contender for the two top slots is ONGC, which was relegated from the I-League first division in the last season. The team’s coach, C. Pinho, said at least four clubs were well placed to reach the I-League. “The score card shows that four clubs have chances. All our players are working hard to get into the I-League once again and we are confident,” he said. The matches in Gangtok will conclude on April 17.(The Telegraph)