Diamonds and a cutting edge called Okerie

Okerie had Dipendu Biswas and in the later stages, Roshan Pereira as support. Once Biswas completed his quota of 45 matches, Pereira kept rival defenders on theirtoes.

The quota of 45 matches bogged Bagan down. They lost Biswas, even Basudev Mondal was not available towards the later part of the League. Mondal, one of the best mid-fielders in the country today, was the key man for Bagan. Abdul Khaleque too ran out his "coupons" before Bagan finished their complement of matches and the eventual champions suddenly discovered that Amit Das had just one game remaining. Coach TK Chathunni husbanded his resources shrewdly. He brought out the best from the likes of "over-the-hill" Satyajit Chatterjee and "yet-too-immature" Lolendro Singh.

Talking about coaches, the major credit for Bagan’s reversal of fortunes should go to Amal "Diamond" Dutta. The coach sacrificed defence for a creativity and attack. Although, that did leave their citadel shuddering on a weak foundation, the style made the game lively and even won Bagan points and a lot of respect. Dutta had to leave the club under very controversial conditions and Chathunni took over just before the NationalLeague.

Chathunni’s style was entirely different from that of Dutta. He preached defence before anything else. So there was Bagan adjusting to contrasting styles adopted by two different coaches. Bagan began their National League campaign with defeat against Air-India in Mumbai but lost only one match after that — against Salgaocar at Delhi in a "home" encounter. There were of course assistance from fate in the form of refereeing under pressure. It helped them gain points at home against Dempo. They could have sealed the League in their 16th game against Air-India itself had goalkeeper Hemant Dora not committed the blunder he is unlikely to forget in a hurry. That, for soccer, was a blessing for a win would have ended interest in the race to the title.

Bagan’s was not the only reversal to talk about in the League. In fact, the Calcutta side were among the pre-tournament favourites, but very few could have thought that Churchill Brothers would be relegated. The Goan team were runners-up last time and evenlooked like winning the title at one stage.

Even JCT, the defending champions, finished a dismal seventh. That, inspite of the presence of another brilliant Nigerian Stephen Abrowei. The big man won four man-of-the-match awards and had he received a little more support, he surely would have lifted JCT a few rungs.

East Bengal rose by a place to make it one-two for Calcutta. FC Kochin, in their first year on the circuit finished fourth. They, however, had the satisfaction of winning the highest goal scorer award. Raman Vijayan found the net 10 times in 18 matches. Federation Cup champions Salgaocar gave Bagan a run for their money. They were runners for the top prize till the last match before finishing third. Air-India, the surprise package from Mumbai, who were table leaders till almost the half-way mark, finished fifth. The resourceful airmen too ran into injury problems towards the later stages and it told on their performances.

Indian Bank lost only one match at home but could not perform too wellin their away games. Of the nine "away" matches they played, they won one and lost six. They avoided relegation in their very last game. Dempo finished sixth while Mahindras, with just one win and two draws, will play in the Second Division next year.

A STATISTICAL WINDOW

Leading scorers: Raman Vijayan (FC Kochin 10, 18 games); Chima Okerie Mohun Bagan (9, 16); Bhaichung Bhutia (East Bengal 8, 16); Chibuzor Churchill Brothers (7, 17).

Hat-tricks: Gautam Ghosh (for Dempo against vs FC Kochin in Margao; Chima Okerie (For Bagan against Mahindras in Calcutta).

Biggest win: FC Kochin bt Indian Bank in Thrissur 4-0; JCT bt Mahindras in Mumbai 4-0.

Most goals in a match: Dempo 5 vs FC Kochin 3 in Margao.

Most goals by a team: 26 by FC Kochin

Most goals conceded by a team: 30 by Mahindras.

Man of the match Awards: Chima Okerie (Mohun Bagan); Stephan Abarowei (JCT): Sanatan Singh (Salgaocar): 4 each

IM Vijayan (FCK); Ali Abubakker (FCK); MaheshSingh (IB); Sebestian Netto (IB); Satyajit Chatterjee (MB); Jeevan Moares (AI): 3 each.