Air-India, Mahindras to fight another day — Super Division

The Air-India side by the time all warmed up, were ready to take the pitch when the officials made known their decision. While Bimal Ghosh’s team left the venue, Mahindras stayed back for a spell of practice at the adjacent training pitch moulded chairs taking the place of goals.

A clash between the sides draws more than the usual attention after last year’s encounter won by Mahindras 3-1 in the National Football League, qualifying round.

Amidst rumours of `match-fixing’ hotly denied by either camp, Mahindras pulled off all stops to surprise their vaunted rivals and make the second phase of the inaugural League.

Air-India avenged that setback, beating Mahindras in both League encounters held subsequently as both sides finished somewhat disappointingly Air-India sixth and Mahindras eight and last.

Air-India’s manager-coach Bimal Ghosh viewed his teams standings `in proper perspective’ attributing a creditable performance to a young squad, devoid of foreign content an advantage enjoyed by some of the other NFL sides.For Mahindras who let in more than 30 goals in the second phase, an inquisition followed by a shake up that saw coach PM Shivdas part of fall out.

Shivdas’ successor Deryck de Souza, however, along with sweeping changes in the squad made possible by an inflated budget, have yet to alter fortunes appreciably.

Mahindras have been lucky to escape defeat in at least two of their three drawn matches against Central Railway, Bank of India and Union Bank of India against whom they trailed 0-3.

Air-India, on the other hand, are looking good for their fourth title having collected 10 points from four matches.

The WIFA programme, ravaged by the weather, will be revised by the Super Division Committee. There will be no match at this venue tomorrow, and for the moment the RCF-Western Railway match stands scheduled for Thursday.Henry Menezes, a step away from action

Rain and bad ground conditions may have deprived Mahindras’ assistant coach Henry Menezes enjoying a taste of the action at the Cooperage, today.Mahindras’ manager Harish Rao revealed that Menezes, a former India goalkeeper needed to be registered for possible a place in the squad after reserve goalkeeper Manoj Jaggi took ill.

The other reserve keeper Gautam Roy is out of town because of a family commitment and in the eventuality of an injury to first-choice custodian Gumpe Rime, Menezes was required to glove up in any eventuality.

Both Air-India and Mahindras’ camps expressed disappointment at the cancellation of their Super Division clash at the Cooperage because of unplayable conditions caused by frequent showers sweeping the city the past few days.

Mahindras’ manager Harish Rao’s first reaction suggested that the ground was playable but conceded that the referee was the best judge.

A member of the sizeable contingent of Mahindras’ employees travelling from afar was not so mellow, fuming rage at the cancellation of what has become a much-talked about local derby.