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Balwant Brilliance

Mohun Bagan got past DSK Shivajians today thanks to personal brilliance of Balwant Singh.

Bagan started with a careful note, with two defensive midfielders, but started losing the control of the game as DSK did well in intercepting the ball from time to time and their quick counter attack created panic for Bagan defense.

In one such attack DSK got the lead as Edu failed to clear the ball, and Pritam was clueless as DSK player Milan scored with a sprint past Bagan defense (0-1).

Bagan coach had to withdraw Sehnaz and replace him with Prabir, and this move helped Bagan get back into the game.

Yusa moved to the middle , and Pritam and Prabir started creating movements from right with Sony and Subhasis from left.
In one such movement a Pritam cross was half heartedly cleared by Subrata and Balwant header made it 1-1.

Soon a similar attack followed, and Balwant’s brilliance made it 2-1.

In the second half Balwant missed three chances to get his hat trick.

Later he was replaced with Jeje. Jeje was once pushed inside the box, and Bagan got penalty. Yusa converted the same by hitting at right of Subrata (3-1).

However, Bagan coach will have to see if Prabir can come into first XI and move Yusa to the middle. Prabir, Pritam, Pronay trio are doing well. So are Sony and Duffy with Subhasish’s support.

In fact Duffy was the man who was distributing the ball well, which helped Bagan keep control after conceding the goal.

However refereeing was extremely poor, Bagan was denied of three clear penalties. There were two occasions were Bagan players were hit off the ball directly by DSK players. But no card was shown. These types of refereeing seem to be from the same genre of Dinesh Nair’s and Santoshes which would benefit a specific team that for unknown reasons always get refereeing blessings.

Can the fans expect neutral refereeing?

Mohun Bagan has suffered a lot from refereeing , particularly some crucial matches in last few years. Incidentally not just Mohun Bagan, other iLeague clubs also were subject to refereeing errors, and it was allegedly found that only two clubs were benefited, one of them have withdrawn their team.

Dr Errol Sweeney, World Cup Referee Coach & Mentor, once said ” There are few people one can really trust in life. Among these would/should be the police, the clergy, your doctor, and one would hope, soccer referees. Sadly, while it is not very apparent, there are a few of our colleagues who are prepared to betray the trust put in them. ”

Unfortunately while likes of Zico, Robarto Carlos, the world cup winners , have criticized Indian refereeing, the referees were patted well by the football officials of the country instead of asking them to improve.

Serious questions have been raised for a particular referee and his abilities in the football ground. Questions are been raised on his biased approach towards various teams, and then when the said referee is selected for crucial iLeague matches , it is obvious that eyebrows will be raised.

FIFA or AFC should not shed their responsibilities as well. They should ensure proper anti-corruption guidelines are followed to ensure neutrality of refereeing in Indian football. Questions are been raised whether FIFA is having an eye towards the same or not.

Will AIFF have an eye on the referees ?

Mohun Bagan will play another away game this Sunday. Incidentally the fans observed that a particular team has been getting a lot of blessings from the referees this year as well. This started happening from the very first game when a player was pulled down inside the box and no penalty was given. A team gets penalty for slightest infringement and other teams are deprived of penalties for open fouls.

Last year Mohun Bagan suffered poor refereeing from a similar match – Bagan players were fouled and referee continuously ignored. There has been no improvement in refereeing this year – and one can expect that the referee might not be neutral in the upcoming game as well.

And this is where the question is for AIFF. Can AIFF take this matter seriously, or have the right intention at least to take the matter seriously? In world football refereeing has been shamed from time to time, ILeague is not an exception. Can AIFF ensure the referees are neutral? Can AIFF publish officially what calls referees who will conduct the match, get in the last 7 days (before the game), and ensure the referees are not found in close vicinity of some club officials of any team as well ? Can AIFF officially publish the income of the referees who will participate in the game and ensure there is no discrepancy in the earning of the referees?

Or AIFF will remain mum ?