AIFF Media Team

NEW DELHI: It is not without reason the seventh edition of India’s flagship competition seen colossal rise in crowd attendance figures. As a product, its value has drawn corporate eyeballs – the sponsors Airtel, obviously stay pleased.

Unprecedented, all the above, Indian Football mandarins owe it to the most quintessential aspect of a League – neck-to-neck competition both at the top and foot of the table going into the final two rounds.

“This has by far been the most competitive I-League,” I-League CEO Sunando Dhar tells www.the-aiff.com when asked about the secret behind the success of the League this season.

“As we go into the last two rounds, it is still a three horse race. The relegation battle is as intense is not more with as many as three to four teams wrestling it out to stay afloat. Both the battle for the title and saving relegation could go down the wire till the last day, and maybe last few seconds,” added the CEO.

Leaders Bengaluru FC can script history on Monday (April 21, 2014) if they get it past Dempo SC. The Bangalore outfit will be on 44 points provided they beat Dempo thus making it impossible for either Salgoacar  – second placed with 38 points with a game in hand or East Bengal, third with 37 points with two games in hand – to upset their applecart.

At the other end of the spectrum, promoted Mohammedan Sporting, at the moment, stay closest to facing the axe languishing rock-bottom of the table trailing a point and game to second from bottom Churchill Brothers. The Durand Cup and IFA Shield winners face an uphill task to at least do their bit in their bid to stave off relegation as they take on a stubborn Mumbai FC in their last game.

Under the hammer though, are also defending Churchill, United SC and Rangdajied United.  

SCENARIO 1:

If East Bengal (37 points from 22 matches) lose to Pune FC on Saturday (April 19, 2014), Bengaluru FC (41 points from 22 matches) will be crowned Champions. Simply because even if Salgaocar win their last match and move up to 41 points, Bengaluru FC would seal it owing to better head to head record against Salgaocar.

NB: However, at the same time, Salgaocar eagerly await the verdict of the AIFF’s Appeals Committee for the one point deducted for fielding ineligible Players against Pune FC. If the Appeals Committee decide in favour of Salgaocar, they would be granted one extra point.

SCENARIO 2:    

If Bengaluru FC win against Dempo on April 21, they will be crowned I-League champions.

SCENARIO 3:

 If Bengaluru FC drop points against Dempo and Sporting Clube de Goa (loss or draw) on the final day of the Competition, and East Bengal script wins against Pune FC on Saturday and United SC on the final day, Armando Colaco’s red and golds will clinch the I-League.

SCENARIO 4:

If Salgacoar win, East Bengal win one and draw one, and BFC lose remaining two, all three teams will be on same points (41). It will then be decided on a head-to-head basis where East Bengal fare best owing to better record.

THE RELEGATION SLUGFEST:

What Mohammedan Sporting need: Rock-bottom Mohammedan Sporting have to win and depend on other results to go in their favour to harbour any hopes of staying afloat. Mohammedan Sporting play Mumbai FC away on April 27, 2014.  

What Churchill need: The struggling defending champions need to win to stave off relegation provided Mohammedan win. Churchill Brothers play United SC at home on April 19, 2014 & Salgaocar away on April 28, 2014.

What United SC need: The Kolkata outfit need two stalemates to stay off the drop zone provided Mohammedan win. United SC play Churchill Brothers on April 19, 2014 away & East Bengal at home on April 28, 2014.  

What Rangdajied United need: The Shillong team need a draw in the last game to assure a place in next season’s I-League, provided Mohammedan win. Rangdajied United play host Shillong Lajong in the Shillong Derby on April 21, 2014.