31st CFL (Calcutta Football League) title notwithstanding, East Bengal’s win is not without blemishes. This is perhaps the first such win despite loosing twice to Mohun Bagan and once to Mohamedan Sporting. Even the the most ardent fan will admit that the team is not cohesive, and having a Brazilian coach hasn’t helped much.
Yet for all that matters, a title win is always an occasion to rejoice, and much of it was on display yesterday when East Bengal just about scraped past Eastern Railway through an Alvito spot-kick conversion.
East Bengal’s team this year leaves much to be desired. Its defence lacks the verve of standing up to persistent attacks and there is just no striker of the calibre of Baichung Bhutia, who has crossed over to Mohun Bagan this season.
At LG ASEAN Club Cup, 2003 – past glory! [Picture source]
There are talks to induct 3 Brazilians and the Japanese striker, Izumi Arata. The latter interestingly will come under PIO (People of Indian Origin) quota as an Indian player, since his father is an Indian, and mother Japanese. The PIO system is an effort by AIFF (All India Football Federation), the parent body of Indian football, to bring in footballers of Indian origin from other countries.
East Bengal is perhaps the first club to make use of PIO quota. Whether the team-making efforts actually translate on ground, remains to be seen.
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